Phylum Cnidaria Flashcards
Phylum Cnidaria
One steps above sponges
Notable traits
Radial symmetry
Diploblastic (two germ layers)
Tissues, but no organs
Gastrovascular system
Cnidocytes
Mesoglea (jelly)
Nerve net
Cnidocytes
Stinging cells
Nematocysts
Coiled harpoon inside cnidocyte that produces neurotoxins (which are painful and potentially deadly)
Diploblastic layers
Endoderm -> Gastrodermis
Ectoderm -> Epidermis
[Both must be in contact with water to function]
Dimporphic body plan
Mesoglea (jelly layer)
Polyps (sessile) vs Medusa (mobile)
Colonial vs Solitary
Colonial
Many buds attached to one another
Gastrozooid (feeding) and Gonozooid (reproduction)
Ex Coral
Solitary
One organism
Ex Polyps and Medusae
Life cycle
Can have both polyp and medusa stages
Monoecious vs dioecious
Medusa
“True jellies”
Ex box jellies
Polyp form
Ex Corals and sea anemones
Incomplete digestive system
Gastrovascular cavity with one opening
Water is circulated through
Four classes
Anthozoa
Scyphozoa
Cubozoa
Hydrozoa
Anthozoa
“Flower animals”
Sea anemones & coral
[Gastrovascular cavity into septa]
Scyphozoa
“Cup animals”
True jellies
Medusa lacks velum thus slower movement