Nematodes Flashcards
Number of nematode species that have been described
200,000
The majority of nematodes are _______ and ______
small predators and saprophytes (eat decomposing organic matter)
provide powerful gene2c models to study the basis of development, aging and many diseases including cancer
Nematodes
Describe the anatomy of nematode
unsegmented: • bilaterally symmetric • triploblas2c: – ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm.
What does triploblastic mean?
has 3 layers:
ecto, meso and endo DERM
thin layer of
lipids and proteins
Epicuticle
made from crosslinked
cu2cilin proteins
and collagen fibres
cortex
are formed
by collagen fibers which
are put down at angles to
generate a lattice
Basal layers
fibrous and
closest to hypodermis
Basal layer
Nematodes molt how many times?
4x
explain how they molt
The old cu2cle separates from the epidermis and the innermost layer
is par2ally hydrolyzed
• A new cu2cula is secreted by the hypodermis star2ng with the
epicu2cle
• The old cu2cle is shed
Nematodes lack _________
circular
muscles, they depend
entirely on longitudinal
muscles
is generated by the interplay of muscles, pressurized pseudocoel and cuticula
Nematode’s motility
The brain consists of
a single ring around the pharynx. A lateral and a ventral nerve extend back through the length of the worm. Labial and aphid nerves extend forward to enervate sensory organs (amphids and various papilla)
What are amphids?
are simple organs of mechano‐ and chemorecep2on. The sensory organelles are modified cilia
What kind of skeleton do they have?
hydrostatic
is tightly attached to the hypodermis and the cuticle
musculature
What kind of digestive system do they have?
complete but simple.
Mouth is located at the very tip of the animal
is nonmuscular, and consists of a single layer tall columnar cells which carry microvilli and an underlying basal lamina
The intestine
Most nematodes are what in terms of reproduction?
dioecous - two sexes. But, hermaphrodite can occur as well.
Describe the differences between male and female
Males are smaller than females. And they have an additional external features at the posterior end of the worm
Both sexes are attracted to _________
pheromones
is muscular
an sperm is transferred to
the female against the
pseudcoel pressure
The sperm duct
are important
features to tell different
nematodes apart
shape and size of spicules
and bursa
Male inserts ______ ________ copulatory spicules
two sclerotized
This can close vulva in some species.
Anatomy of a male
cement gland
It has no role in sperm motility
actin
The sperm motility depends on
Major Sperm Protein (MSP)
forms dimers which
assemble into subfilaments,
two of these form a helical
filament
MSP