Introduction On Animal Diversity Diversity

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the lecture on animal biology, including terms related to key features, types of symmetry, development, and specific phyla.

Heterotrophy

Obtaining energy and organic molecules by ingesting other organisms.

Multicellularity

Characteristic of having complex bodies made up of many cells.

Active movement

The ability of animals to move more rapidly and in complex ways.

Radial symmetry

Body parts arranged around a central axis, can be divided into equal halves by any plane.

Bilateral symmetry

Body has right and left halves that are mirror images, only the sagittal plane bisects the animal into equal halves.

Cephalization

Evolution of a definite brain area in bilaterally symmetrical animals.

Eumetazoa

Animals with true tissues and defined body symmetry.

Protostomes

Animals that develop the mouth first from or near the blastopore.

Deuterostomes

Animals that develop the anus first from the blastopore.

Acoelomates

Animals that do not have a body cavity.

Pseudocoelomates

Animals with a body cavity located between the mesoderm and endoderm.

Coelomates

Animals with a body cavity entirely within the mesoderm.

Embryonic development

The process where the zygote undergoes mitotic divisions to produce a ball of cells.

Segmentation

The division of the body into repetitive segments, allowing for redundant organ systems and flexible movement.

Nematocysts

Stinging structures used by cnidarians to capture prey.

Cnidaria

Phylum of animals known for their unique stinging cells (nematocysts) and diploblastic body structure.

Gastrovascular cavity

A central cavity in cnidarians where digestion occurs; serves as the site for gas exchange and waste discharge.

Choanocytes

Flagellated cells in sponges that aid in water circulation and food filtering.

Mesohyl

A gelatinous matrix in sponges that contains spicules and other cell types.