Marine Biology I - Animal Phyla

Front

What is bilateral symmetry?

Back

Bilateral symmetry is a body plan in which the left and right sides of an organism are mirror images of each other, allowing for a distinct front and back.

Front

What are the main characteristics of Phylum Arthropoda?

Back

Phylum Arthropoda includes organisms with jointed legs, an exoskeleton, and segmented bodies. Common examples are insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.

Front

What is the class Crustacea?

Back

The class Crustacea includes marine organisms such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimp, characterized by having a hard exoskeleton and typically ten legs.

Front

What does the term Decapoda refer to?

Back

Decapoda refers to an order of crustaceans that have ten legs, including species like crabs and lobsters.

Front

What are the defining features of animals?

Back

Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms that are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain their food by consuming other organisms.

Front

What is radial symmetry?

Back

Radial symmetry is a body plan in which the body can be divided into similar halves by multiple planes passing through the central axis, typical in organisms like sea stars.

Front

What is the significance of the phylum Echinodermata?

Back

The phylum Echinodermata includes marine animals like sea stars and sea urchins, known for their unique water vascular system and radial symmetry.

Front

What are heterotrophs?

Back

Heterotrophs are organisms that cannot produce their own food and must consume other organisms for energy.

Front

What is the difference between bilateral and radial symmetry?

Back

Bilateral symmetry involves a single plane of symmetry, while radial symmetry allows for multiple planes of symmetry around a central axis.

Front

What are some examples of organisms in Phylum Echinodermata?

Back

Examples include sea stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers.