Biology 1204: Basal Invertebrates - Porifera and Cnidaria

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes from Biology 1204, focusing on the key concepts related to Basal Invertebrates, specifically Porifera and Cnidaria.

Porifera

The only phylum of animals that lack true tissues.

Eumetazoa

A clade of animals with true tissues.

Parazoa

A sub-group of Metazoa that includes animals without tissues.

Amoebocytes

Mobile cells in sponges that transport food to all parts of the sponge.

Choanocytes

Specialized cells in sponges that filter feed and have flagella.

Nematocyst

The stinging structure found within cnidocytes of Cnidarians.

Cnidocyte

A specialized cell containing nematocysts in Cnidarians.

Medusa

One of the two body forms of Cnidarians, typically motile.

Polyp

One of the two body forms of Cnidarians, typically sessile.

Gastrovascular cavity

The primary digestive cavity in Cnidarians, lined with gastrodermis.

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two species where at least one benefits.

Dinoflagellates

Photosynthetic protists that form a symbiotic relationship with corals.

Glass Sponge Reefs

The world's only living glass sponge reefs found on BC's coast.

Cell-level organization

A characteristic of Porifera indicating no tissue organization.

Asymmetry

Lack of symmetry found in Porifera.

Reef-building corals

Also known as Stony corals; colonial Cnidarians that build reefs.

Coral bleaching

Occurs when corals lose their symbiotic dinoflagellates due to environmental stress.

Hydra

A genus of Cnidarians known for its ability to form colonies, reproduce asexually in medusa form, have diploid life cycle.

Box jellyfish

Cnidarians known for their cube-shaped medusa, “active swimmers“, most venomous.
cause whirling disease - kill trouts

True jellyfish

Cnidarians in the class Scyphozoa, characterized by a gelatinous, umbrella-shaped medusa.

Lactational feeding in sponges

The method by which sponges filter food from the water.

Carnivorous corals

Some corals that can capture prey; distinct from those that depend on symbiotic algae.

Epidermis

The outer tissue layer in Cnidarians.

Anthozoa

A subphylum of Cnidaria that includes sea anemones and corals.

Medusozoa

A subphylum of Cnidaria that includes jellyfish.

Myxozoa

A subphylum of Cnidaria consisting of parasitic organisms.

Germ layers

Layers that develop in embryos, absent in Porifera and present in Eumetazoa.

Skeletal elements in sponges

Spicules, which are made of calcium carbonate or silica.

Filter feeding

A feeding strategy used by sponges to obtain food from water.

Flagella

Tail-like structures that help propel water through the sponge.

Osculum

The large opening at the top of a sponge where water exits after filtration.