Sponges & Cnidarians

These flashcards encompass key terms and definitions related to the study of sponges and cnidarians, perfect for reviewing critical concepts from the lecture.

Lophotrochozoa

A major grouping within the animal kingdom that includes various phyla like Mollusca and Annelida.

Ecdysozoa

A clade of animals characterized by shedding their exoskeleton, including phyla like Arthropoda and Nematoda.

Cnidaria

A phylum comprising animals like jellyfish and corals that possess specialized cells called cnidocytes.

Porifera

The phylum that includes sponges, which are multicellular but lack true tissues.

Eudicot

A subclass of angiosperms that have two cotyledons and include most flowering plants.

Gastrulation

The process during embryonic development that forms the three primary germ layers.

Mesophyll

The gelatinous region between the outer layer of epithelial cells and inner layer of choanocytes in sponges.

Choanocytes

Specialized cells in sponges that have flagella used for creating water currents and capturing food.

Amoebocytes

Cells found in sponges responsible for nutrient transport, digestion, and waste removal.

Nematocyst

A specialized organelle found within cnidocytes of cnidarians that contains a coiled thread used for capturing prey.

Gastrovascular cavity

A central cavity in cnidarians that serves as both the digestive system and a hydrostatic skeleton.

Symbiosis

A mutually beneficial relationship between different organisms, such as corals and dinoflagellates.

Coral bleaching

A phenomenon that occurs when corals lose their symbiotic algae due to stress, leading to the loss of color and vitality.

Polyp

The sessile form of cnidarians, which includes coral and sea anemones.

Medusa

The free-swimming form of cnidarians, exemplified by jellyfish.

Ecosystem engineers

Organisms, like corals, that significantly modify their environment, creating habitats for other species.

Lophophore

A specialized feeding structure found in some aquatic invertebrates, mainly within Lophotrochozoa.

Triploblasty

The condition of having three primary germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm) in embryonic development.

Bilateral symmetry

A body plan in which the organism can be divided into mirror-image halves along one plane.

Ecdysis

The process of molting or shedding the outer layer, characteristic of ecdysozoans.

Cnidocyte

The specialized cell in cnidarians that contains a nematocyst for capturing prey.