Unit 5: Animal Kingdom

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the characteristics, classifications, and features of animals discussed in the Unit 5 lecture.

Choanocytes

Flagellated cells in sponges that create water currents for feeding.

Spicules

Structural elements found in sponges, made of silica or calcium carbonate.

Bilateral symmetry

Body plan with a left and right side that are mirror images.

Diploblastic

Animals with two germ layers: ectoderm and endoderm.

Protostomes

Animals in which the blastopore develops into the mouth.

Deuterostomes

Animals in which the blastopore develops into the anus.

Nematocyst

Specialized cells in cnidarians that contain stinging organelles.

Gastrovascular cavity

A central cavity in cnidarians that serves both digestive and circulatory functions.

Coelomate

Animals with a true body cavity lined with mesoderm.

Acoelomate

Animals that lack a body cavity.

Echinoderms

Deuterostome animals characterized by radial symmetry and a water vascular system.

Cnidarians

Radially symmetrical animals that are carnivorous and exhibit specialized stinging cells.

Triploblastic

Animals with three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

Radial symmetry

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

Ecosystem

A community of living organisms interacting with their physical environment.

Escoskeleton

A hard external skeleton that provides support and protection.