gpt llecture 9

What is the "Species of the Day" mentioned in the document?

Blue ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata)

Which domain and kingdom does the blue ringed octopus belong to?

Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Animalia

What are the defining characteristics of the phylum Mollusca?

Soft body composed almost entirely of muscle; Mantle with a cavity used for breathing and excretion; Presence of a radula (except for bivalves); Unique nervous system structure

What is the primary function of the mantle in molluscs?

The mantle is protective tissue that covers the soft body, secretes the shell (if present), and is involved in breathing and excretion.

Which class of molluscs includes chitons, and what are their key features?

Class: Polyplacophora (Chitons); 8 overlapping plates held together by a tough girdle; Flattened bodies; Found in intertidal zones; Use a large, flat foot to attach to rocks; Scrape algae and other organisms from surfaces

What is the main distinguishing feature of the radula in molluscs?

The radula is a ribbon of tissue containing teeth, used to scrape, pierce, tear, or cut food. It is absent in bivalves.

What are the three main body parts of a mollusc?

Head; Muscular foot; Visceral mass of internal organs

How do flatworms (Phylum: Platyhelminthes) exhibit bilateral symmetry?

Flatworms have only one plane through their midline that divides the body into similar right and left halves.

What are the three classes of parasitic flatworms in the phylum Platyhelminthes?

Class Tubellaria: Free-living flatworms; Class Trematoda: Parasitic flukes; Class Cestoda: Parasitic tapeworms

What is the primary method of prey capture in ribbon worms (Phylum: Nemertea)?

Ribbon worms capture prey using a proboscis, a long tube used to entangle prey.

What are the key characteristics of Ctenophores (Phylum: Ctenophora)?

Planktonic and almost transparent; Radial symmetry; Lack stinging cells; 8 rows of comb plates (ctenes) made of large cilia for locomotion; Bioluminescent

What is the ecological role of corals in marine environments?

Habitat formation: Provide complex 3D structures for millions of species; Refuge and wave buffering; Symbiosis with zooxanthellae, fishes, shrimps, and crabs

Describe the reproduction methods of corals and anemones.

Asexual: Budding, fission, and pedal laceration; Sexual: Male and female forms release gametes that merge to form larvae (planulae) which disperse and settle.

What are the feeding mechanisms of cnidarians like anemones and corals?

Digest food in a central gastrovascular cavity; Paralyze prey (invertebrates and small fish) using nematocysts; Some cnidarians rely on photosynthesis via symbiotic algae

What are the characteristics of chitons in the class Polyplacophora?

8 overlapping plates formed from the mantle; Flattened, firm bodies for rock attachment; Found in intertidal zones; Use a radula to scrape algae from surfaces

What is the significance of the nervous system in molluscs?

Molluscs have a well-developed nervous system, often including a brain, which supports their diverse behaviors and adaptations.

What is schistosomiasis, and which type of flatworm causes it?

Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by trematode flatworms (parasitic flukes) that have complex life cycles requiring a snail as an intermediate host.

What is the largest invertebrate known, and which phylum does it belong to?

A species of ribbon worm (Phylum: Nemertea) can reach 30 meters (100 feet) in length, possibly making it the longest invertebrate.

What are the three main types of corals and anemones based on their skeletal structure?

Hard corals (calcium carbonate skeleton); Soft corals (e.g., sea fans and sea pens); Anemones (soft-bodied, more complex polyps)

What is "mass coral spawning," and why is it significant?

Mass coral spawning is a synchronized release of gametes by corals into the water, allowing for widespread fertilization and larval dispersal.