Overview of flatworms

Platyhelminthes

Phylum containing flatworms, including three classes.

Turbellarian

Class of free-living flatworms, e.g., Planaria.

Planaria

Example of Turbellarian, known for its regeneration.

Cephalization

Development of a head region in organisms.

Bilateral symmetry

Body plan with symmetrical left and right halves.

Hermaphrodites

Organisms possessing both male and female reproductive organs.

Cross fertilization

Sexual reproduction involving two different individuals.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction without the fusion of gametes, e.g., fission.

Triploblastic

Organisms with three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm.

Trematoda

Class of parasitic flatworms, known as flukes.

Chinese Liver Fluke

Example of a trematode affecting the liver.

Cestoda

Class of parasitic flatworms, including tapeworms.

Scolex

Head of a tapeworm with hooks for attachment.

Nematoda

Phylum containing roundworms, including hookworms and filaria.

Filaria

Nematode causing elephantiasis, transmitted by mosquitoes.

Trichinosis

Disease caused by eating undercooked meat infected with larvae.

Annelida

Phylum of segmented worms, including earthworms and leeches.

Oligochaeta

Class of Annelida, including earthworms.

Symptoms of Tapeworms

Nausea, weakness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss.

Cat tapeworm

Type of tapeworm commonly found in cats.