Scribd
Upload
958 views1 page

Phylum Cnidaria (Notes)

Phylum Cnidaria includes animals that show radial symmetry and have two cell layers. They have stinging cells called nematocysts and can have two body plans - polyps and medusae. Cnidarians reproduce both sexually and asexually and have complex life cycles that may involve both polyp and medusa stages. They are carnivorous predators that use nematocyst-filled tentacles to capture prey.

Uploaded by

Kristine Claire Alberio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
958 views1 page

Phylum Cnidaria (Notes)

Phylum Cnidaria includes animals that show radial symmetry and have two cell layers. They have stinging cells called nematocysts and can have two body plans - polyps and medusae. Cnidarians reproduce both sexually and asexually and have complex life cycles that may involve both polyp and medusa stages. They are carnivorous predators that use nematocyst-filled tentacles to capture prey.

Uploaded by

Kristine Claire Alberio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Phylum Cnidaria  Prey is digested in gastrovascular cavity.

- Animals that show radial and bradial symmetry and are Zooxanthellae- tiny cells. They help the coral survive by
diploblastic. providing it with food resulting from photosynthesis.

-Greek word ‘cnidos’- mnettle - If the polyps go for too long without zooxanthellae, coral
bleaching can result in the coral’s death.
Four Classes:
Classification of Phylum Cnidaria
- Anthozoa, Scyphozoa, Cubozoa, and Hydrozoa
Class Anthozoa- sac-like body divided by septa and
Morphology completely lack a medusa stage.
Nematocyst- a long, thin, coiled stinger. It has a barb that Class Cubozoa- square shape, they have four tentacles and
may inject poison. well developed eyes.
Two basic body plans: polyp and medusa Class Hydrozoa- body consist of a dome-like umbrella
Polyp- tubular body and is usually sessile. ringed by tentacles.

Medusa- a bell-shaped body and is typically motile. Class Scyphozoa- have blind sac body plan, while umbrella
like free swimming medusa form.
Two cell layers: ectoderm and endoderm

Coelenteron- the cells surround a digestive cavity

- Cnidarian have nerve net – that detect touch.

-Jellyfish have light-sensing structures and gravity- sensing


structure. These senses give them a sense of up versus
down, it also helps them balance.

Cnidarian Reproduction

-Polyp usually reproduce asexually by budding. Still some


produces gametes and reproduce sexually.

-Medusae usually reproduce sexually. Sexual reproduction


form zygote. The zygote develops into a planula then turn
into polyp.

Types of Sexual Reproduction of Cnidarians:

 Monoecious- producing both eggs and sperm. It


requires at least two individuals.
 Dioecious- individuals of separate sexes for
gamete production. Scyphozoa are dioecious.

Characteristics of Cnidaria

-are aquatic, mostly marine organisms.

- have nematocysts

- Most have radial symmetry

- Complicated reproduction cycles

Feeding Mechanism

- are carnivores that use tentacles to capture prey.

Feeding Habits

 Prey touched a tentacle.


 Nematocysts fire, paralyzing prey, toxin is
injected.
 Tentacle contracts, prey is forced into mouth.

You might also like