Phylum Cnidaria
Representative Animals: Sea anemones and Jelly fish
Habitat: Cnidaria can be found in both fresh water and salt water but most species reside in salt water.
Reproductive System: Cnidaria have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction takes place by means of budding. For example the jelly fish that we might see at the beach are actually just buds of the real jelly fish which live harnessed to the bottom of the ocean. Sexual reproduction of phylum Cnidaria takes place either with dioecious or hermaphroditic species.
Respiratory System: The species within phylum Cnidaria do not have a respiratory system but rather perform gas exchange using diffusion.
Digestive System: Animals in phylum Cnidaria have a Gastrovascualar Cavity (GVC). The GVC helps with digestion and distribution; it plays a part in both the circulatory system and the digestion system. The GVC has one opening that acts as both a mouth and anus. Once the food enters the cavity the cells that make up the wall of the cavity break down the nutrients and it is diffused into the rest of the body.
Circulatory System: Cnidaria do not have a circulatory system but it is replaced by diffusion across different germ layers, including that of the GVC. Cnidaria also depend on the cilia that line the GVC to move fluid and nutrients throughout the body.
Type of Symmetry: The animals within phylum Cnidaria have Radial symmetry.
Type of Coelom: These animals have no coelom.
Type of Body Plan: They do not have body organs.
Number of body layers: The species in phylum Cnidaria have two body layers; the ectoderm and endoderm. They lack a mesoderm.
Specialized Cells: Cnidaria have specialized cells called cnidocytes. Cnidocytes are located in the tentacles and are responsible for the stinging organelles that characterize jelly fish. The organelles are called nematocysts and act harpoon like while discharging toxins into their chosen prey.
Reproductive System: Cnidaria have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction takes place by means of budding. For example the jelly fish that we might see at the beach are actually just buds of the real jelly fish which live harnessed to the bottom of the ocean. Sexual reproduction of phylum Cnidaria takes place either with dioecious or hermaphroditic species.
Respiratory System: The species within phylum Cnidaria do not have a respiratory system but rather perform gas exchange using diffusion.
Digestive System: Animals in phylum Cnidaria have a Gastrovascualar Cavity (GVC). The GVC helps with digestion and distribution; it plays a part in both the circulatory system and the digestion system. The GVC has one opening that acts as both a mouth and anus. Once the food enters the cavity the cells that make up the wall of the cavity break down the nutrients and it is diffused into the rest of the body.
Circulatory System: Cnidaria do not have a circulatory system but it is replaced by diffusion across different germ layers, including that of the GVC. Cnidaria also depend on the cilia that line the GVC to move fluid and nutrients throughout the body.
Type of Symmetry: The animals within phylum Cnidaria have Radial symmetry.
Type of Coelom: These animals have no coelom.
Type of Body Plan: They do not have body organs.
Number of body layers: The species in phylum Cnidaria have two body layers; the ectoderm and endoderm. They lack a mesoderm.
Specialized Cells: Cnidaria have specialized cells called cnidocytes. Cnidocytes are located in the tentacles and are responsible for the stinging organelles that characterize jelly fish. The organelles are called nematocysts and act harpoon like while discharging toxins into their chosen prey.