Habitat : Mostly marine , few freshwater ( eg: hydra)

live independent without the association of other

Solitary individuals of the same type (eg: hydra )

Live in Association of other individuals of same type

dependent upon each other for protection and nutrition
Colonial purposes. (Eg: Physalia , Gorogonia , Obelia) Habit

Sessile Attached to substratum

Habitat Mostly aquatic , few freshwater
Attachment
Free Free swimming without support ( eg: Physalia ,
Body symmetry Asymmetry
swimming Aurelia )

Level of organisation Cellular

Body symmetry : Radially symmetrical
➡ ➡
(Minute pores in body wall)- ostia ( brings food , O2) into
Level of organisation : Tissue level of organisation
Body form spongocoel / paragastric cavity osculum ( exit )

Germ layers Diploblastic ( jelly like form due to mesoglea )

Food gathering , respiratory exchange, removal of wastes and
Canal system transfer of gamates
Digestive tract Entry : single gastrovascular cavity opens through mouth
➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡
Microvilli of Collar cells ( aka choanocytes ) does intracellular
Cnidoblast gastrovascular cavity enzymes cause breakdown
Digestion digestion
occurs outside extra cellular digestion then engulfed
Digestion intracellular digestion
Endoskeleton ( internal ) made of spicules / spongin fibres or both .
Coelenterata Non-chordates Porifera Skeleton They are calcareous ( made of Ca ) or siliceous ( made of Si )
Hard skeleton made of Calcium Carbonate
Skeleton CaCO3 in some cnidarians eg corals
Hermaphrodite animals aka bisexual aka monoecious ( sexes
not separate )
Cylindrical form, sessile. Eg: Hydra, Adamsia (sea anemone),
Meandrina (brain coral) Polyp
Asexual : fragmentation
Reproduction
Umbrella shaped , free swimming . Statocytes in medusoid
Sexual : haploid gamete fusion . Cross fertilisation, internal
stage Eg: Aurelia ( jelly fish ) Medusa
Body forms fertilisation. Diploid zygote formed

Polyp produces Medusa

Indirect (larval stage present) larval stage is morphological
asexually , Medusa produces
Development distinct from adult)
polyp sexually . Seen in obelia Metagenesis ( alteration of generation )

Sycon ( Scypha ) , Spongilla( Fresh water sponge ) , Euspongia

Contain stinging capsule called nematocysts
Examples ( bath sponge )

In free swimming animals provide anchorage Cnidoblasts/cnidocytes

Capturing the prey Functions

Defence

Physalisia( Portuguese man of war) ,

Adamsia(sea anemone), Pennatula( sea-pen),
Examples Gorgonia( sea-fan ), Meandrina(brain coral)