Untitled Flashcards Set

Ectothermic organism

An organism that relies on external sources of heat to regulate body temperature.

Hermaphroditic

An organism that has both male and female reproductive organs.

Metamorphosis

A biological process in which an animal undergoes a drastic change in form from larva to adult.

Bilateral symmetry

A body plan where the left and right halves of an organism are mirror images.

Radial symmetry

A body plan where body parts are arranged around a central axis.

Endoskeleton

An internal skeleton that provides support and protection to an organism.

Exoskeleton

A hard outer structure that provides support and protection to an organism.

Cnidocytes

Specialized stinging cells found in cnidarians used for defense and capturing prey.

Gastrovascular cavity

A central cavity in certain animals that functions in both digestion and circulation.

Nematocyst

A specialized cell in cnidarians containing a barbed or venomous coiled thread that can be projected for capturing prey or defense.

Cephalization

The concentration of nervous tissue and sensory organs at the front of an organism’s body.

Acoelomate

An animal that lacks a body cavity between the digestive tract and outer body wall.

Pseudocoelomate

An animal with a body cavity that is not fully lined with mesoderm.

Coelomate

An animal that has a true body cavity completely lined with mesoderm.

Open circulatory system

A circulatory system in which blood is pumped into open spaces and directly bathes organs.

Closed circulatory system

A circulatory system in which blood is contained within vessels and pumped through a network of arteries and veins.

Ganglia

Clusters of nerve cells that function as a simple brain in some invertebrates.

Regeneration

The ability of an organism to regrow lost body parts.

Water vascular system

A system of fluid-filled canals in echinoderms used for movement, feeding, and respiration.

Tube feet

Small, flexible, hollow appendages used by echinoderms for movement and feeding.

Mantle

A layer of tissue in mollusks that secretes the shell and aids in respiration and excretion.

Radula

A tongue-like organ in mollusks used for scraping or cutting food before ingestion.

Nephridia

Excretory organs in some invertebrates that filter waste from body fluids.

Setae

Bristle-like structures on annelids that aid in movement.

Parapodia

Paired, fleshy appendages found in some annelids used for locomotion or respiration.

Molting

The process of shedding an exoskeleton or outer layer to allow for growth in arthropods and some other animals.

Tracheal system

A network of tubes in arthropods that allows for gas exchange.

Book lungs

Respiratory structures in arachnids consisting of stacked, plate-like tissues for gas exchange.

Malpighian tubules

Excretory structures in insects and some arachnids that remove waste from the blood.

Incomplete metamorphosis

A type of development in insects where the young resemble the adult but lack full adult structures.

Complete metamorphosis

A type of insect development that includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Chelipeds

Clawed appendages in crustaceans used for defense and capturing food.

Pedipalps

A pair of appendages near the mouth of arachnids used for sensing and manipulating food.

Spiracles

Small openings in the body of an insect that connect to the tracheal system for gas exchange.