GS NOTES WITH QS : CNIDARIANS

Multiple Choice

Which of the following organisms is NOT included in the phylum Cnidaria?

• Jellyfish

• Corals

• Sea fans

• Starfish

Open Ended

Why are cnidarians considered important in marine ecosystems?

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the symmetry found in cnidarians such as Hydra and Jellyfish?

• Bilateral symmetry

• Radial symmetry

• Asymmetry

• Spiral symmetry

Multiple Choice

What is the function of nematocysts found on the tentacles of cnidarians?

• Digestion

• Movement

• Stinging and capturing prey

• Reproduction

Multiple Select

Which of the following are characteristics of the polyp body type in cnidarians?

• Sessile (permanently attached)

• Tube-like body

• Mouth and tentacles facing up

• Free-floating

Fill in the Blanks

The free-floating, umbrella-shaped body type in cnidarians is called

.

Open Ended

Compare and contrast the polyp and medusa body types in cnidarians. Include their structure and examples in your answer.

Open Ended

Explain why jellyfish stings can be dangerous to humans, using evidence from the images and text.

Open Ended

Explain how coral heads grow and how new coral heads are formed, based on the information provided.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a cnidarian that can reproduce both sexually and asexually?

• Jellyfish

• Coral

• Sea star

• Octopus

Fill in the Blanks

The stinging cells found in the tentacles of corals are called

.

Multiple Choice

Why do corals need sunlight, even though they are animals?

• They use sunlight for photosynthesis themselves.

• They need sunlight to see their prey.

• They rely on symbiotic algae for energy.

• They use sunlight to reproduce.

Open Ended

Describe the process of how a fringing reef forms around an island.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are true about the formation of a coral reef?

• Coral reefs form only in deep ocean waters.

• Coral grows along the edge of an island to stay near the ocean surface.

• Fringing reefs are the first stage in coral reef formation.

• Coral reefs form instantly after coral larvae settle.

Fill in the Blanks

Finally, the island sinks down below sea level, leaving just a ring of coral reefs to be seen. This stage is called an

.

Open Ended

Describe the process that leads from a barrier reef to the formation of an atoll.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between a barrier reef and an atoll in the formation of coral reefs?

• A barrier reef forms with a lagoon between the reef and the coastline, while an atoll forms when the island sinks below sea level, leaving only a ring of coral reefs.

• A barrier reef forms below sea level, while an atoll forms above sea level.

• A barrier reef is always connected to the mainland, while an atoll is always isolated.

• A barrier reef is made of volcanic rock, while an atoll is made of sand.

Open Ended

What is one interesting fact you learned about cnidarians today, and what would you like to learn more about?

Multiple Choice

What are some examples of organisms included in the phylum Cnidaria?

• Jellyfish, corals, anemones, and sea fans

• Sponges, worms, and starfish

• Crabs, lobsters, and shrimp

• Snails, clams, and octopuses