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Aminul Sir Biology 2nd Paper : Zoology

Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
01912 - 85 33 95 . CHAPTER TWO [Revised: 2021]
Subject code:
Animal’s Identity 1 7 9

Hydra – Hydra vulgaris

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Topic - 1  Introduction : i) Discover & Naming

ii) Systematic position / Classification
iii) Habit & Habitat
iv) Hydra species in Bangladesh .

Topic - 2  i) External morphology : Hypostome, Trunk & Pedal disc Hydra named dragon from Greek myth

ii) Internal structure : Mesogloea & Gastrovascular cavity i.e. Coelenteron .

Topic - 3  Cellular Morphology of Body wall : i) Cells of Epidermis : 7 types of cells

ii) Cells of Gastrodermis or Endodermis : 5 types of cells .

Topic - 4  i) Structure of a typical Cnidocyte

ii) Types of Nematocyst
iii) Mechanism of discharge of Nematocyst-thread .

Topic - 5  Food intake / Feeding and Digestion .

Topic - 6  Locomotion : Looping, Somersaulting, Gliding / Amoeboid movement, Floating, Swimming, Climbing,
Tentacular movement / Walking .

Topic - 7  Reproduction : i) Asexual reproduction

ii) Sexual reproduction .

Topic - 8  i) Division of labour in Hydra

ii) Symbiosis in Hydra .

Topic - 9  Practical : Observation of the permanent slide / model of Hydra –

i) Physical structure i.e. whole mount
ii) Longitudinal section (L.S.)
iii) Transverse section (T.S.) .

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Topic – 1  Introduction : i) Discover & Naming

ii) Systematic position / Classification

Aminul Sir iii) Habit & Habitat

Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
01912 - 85 33 95 . iv) Hydra species in Bangladesh .

i) Discover & Naming :

1) In animal kingdom, 2 phyla are diploblastic – Cnidaria & Ctenophora. Hydra is a simple fresh water inhabitant under
phylum Cnidaria. It is a nice example of diploblastic animal.
2) In 1744, Swiss naturalist Abraham Trembley (1710-1784) first discovered the Hydra. He studied on the ‘Regeneration
power’ of it.
3) In 1758, Swedish naturalist Carolus Linnaeus (Carl Von Linne; 1707- 1778) named this animal as ‘Hydra’.
4) Among its other characteristics, ‘Regeneration’ is one. It resembles an ancient Greek mythological nine headed monster
or dragon ‘Hydra’, which could recover its head as soon as it was cut off. Hercules killed it later on.

ii) Systematic position / Classification :

Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum (Division for Plants) : Cnidaria
Class : Hydrozoa
Order : Hydroida
Family : Hydridae
Genus : Hydra
Species : H. vulgaris = Colourless / Yellowish-brown in colour
H. viridissima (Chlorohydra viridissima / H. viridis) = Green in colour
H. oligactis (H. fusca) = Brown in colour.

- Among these Hydra vulgaris is the commonest one.

iii) Habit & Habitat :

1) Hydra is a solitary (i.e. free living), polypoid (i.e. in the form of a polyp), fresh water animal. They are found in canal, beel,
pond, lake, fountain or falls etc.
2) Though the other individuals under phylum Cnidaria are marine, only 20 species of Cnidaria live in fresh water. They
prefer the lotic (stagnant) & clean water, attaching its body to any submerged hard substratum.
3) Hydra is a carnivorous animal. They take food by using the tentacles.
4) They perform respiration and excretion through diffusion process by using their body wall.
5) Hydra has strong ‘Regeneration’ power.
[ P.T.O. ]
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iv) Hydra species in Bangladesh :
Around 40 species of Hydra are available in the world. According to ‘Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh: Vol. 14
(2008)’, there are 3 Hydra species found in Bangladesh –

1) Hydra vulgaris = Colourless / Yellowish-brown in colour

2) Hydra viridissima (Chlorohydra viridissima / H. viridis) = Green in colour
3) H. oligactis (H. fusca) = Brown in colour.
Aminul Sir
Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
             
01912 - 85 33 95 .

Topic – 2  i) External morphology : Hypostome, Trunk & Pedal disc

ii) Internal structure : Mesogloea & Gastrovascular cavity i.e. Coelenteron .

i) External morphology : Hypostome, Trunk & Pedal disc

Hydra’s body is radial symmetric, soft, tubular, 10–30 mm in length & 1 mm in width. One side of the body is open (i.e. Oral
end) and another side is closed (i.e. Aboral end). ‘Mouth aperture’ is positioned at open end & closed end is attached with any
substratum.

Hydra vulgaris is almost colourless or yellowish-brown in colour. A mature Hydra’s body can be divided into 3 parts –

1) Hypostome Mouth aperture

2) Trunk
3) Pedal disc Tentacles

Hypostome
Testes
Bud
Ovary

Pedal disc

Fig.: External morphology of Hydra

1) Hypostome: It is situated at the oral end of the body. Hypostome is conical body part, can contract & expand. At the apex of
hypostome, ‘Mouth aperture’ is positioned which is continuous with coelenteron / gastrovascular cavity. Food is taken and
undigested food residues are expelled through mouth aperture.

2) Trunk: The contractile & expandable body part lies in between Hypostome and Pedal disc, is the Trunk. The following parts are
found at the Trunk –

i) Tentacle: Encircling the mouth aperture, longer than body height, 6–10 numbers of narrow & hollow, thread-like
structures are called ‘Tentacles’. A cluster of tumour-like ‘Nematocysts’ are lying at the epidermis of tentacles, are called
‘Nematocyst battery’. Each battery carries different types of Nematocyst. Tentacles take part in food capture, locomotion
and self-protection. [ P.T.O. ]
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ii) Bud: In summer, when there is plenty of food in nature, is the suitable time for Bud formation. In such environment, one or
more buds are formed from almost the middle part of the body. Each bud gives rise to a new daughter Hydra. Budding is
a type of regular asexual reproduction process in Hydra.

iii) Gonad: Hydra can be unisexual or bisexual, varying on species. During Autumn, Late autumn and Winter, when there is
scarcity of food in nature, Hydra produces the temporary sex organ i.e. gonad in the body. One or more male and female
sex organs ‘Testes’ (sing. Testis) and ‘Ovaries’ are developed at upper half and lower half of the Trunk, respectively.
Gonads participate in sexual reproduction.

3) Pedal disc: Pedal disc is round and flattened part of the body and is positioned at the posterior to the Trunk. Gland cells of
Pedal disc secrete sticky juice, which helps Hydra to attach on the substratum. Besides, epidermal cells of Pedal disc form
‘Bubble’, so that Hydra can float on water surface. Cells of Pedal disc make pseudopod and move slowly to cover the very short
distance. This type of locomotion is known as Gliding or Amoeboid movement.
Aminul Sir
Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
01912 - 85 33 95 .

ii) Internal structure : Mesogloea & Gastrovascular cavity i.e. Coelenteron –

At embryonic stage, if the cells of body of the animals are arranged in ‘Ectoderm’ and ‘Endoderm’ named two germ layers,
then they are called ‘Diploblastic animals’. In mature animals, these two germ layers are transformed into ‘Epidermis’ and
‘Gastrodermis’, respectively. A jelly-like acellular layer ‘Mesogloea’ is present in between these two layers. Sometime, several cells
and fibres are lying at Mesogloea. Hydra is a nice example of diploblastic animal. Hydra’s body is made up of ‘Body wall’ and
central ‘Gastrovascular cavity / Coelenteron’.

Mesogloea :
In Cnidarian, jelly-like, sticky, elastic, thin, colourless, acellular layer, places in between epidermis and gastrodermis, is called
‘Mesogloea’. Actually, Mesogloea is created from the secretion of epidermis and gastrodermis and its diameter is 0.1 μm.
Mesogloea of tentacle is thinnest but thickest in pedal disc. Nerve fibres along with nerve cells transversely locate here.

Functions :
1) Mesogloea acts as a ‘Basement membrane’ for the cells of epidermis and gastrodermis. It also works as soft skeleton.
2) It contains the fibres of Sensory & Nerve cells and the ‘myoneme’ named contractile myofibrils of Musculo-epithelial cell.
3) Works as ‘Attachment surface / plane’ for the fibres of muscle cells.
4) Its elasticity helps to expand the body after contraction.

Gastrovascular cavity i.e. Coelenteron :

In Hydra, and in other animals of the phylum Cnidaria, the only ‘body cavity’ enclosed by gastrodermis, is known as
‘Gastrovascular cavity i.e. Coelenteron’. It communicates with the outer side of the body through only a single oral pore ‘Mouth
aperture’ and that’s why, Coelenteron also called ‘Blind gut’ or ‘Blind sac’. Coelenteron remains in the tentacles also and because
of this, tentacles are hollow too like trunk. [ P.T.O. ]
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Functions :
1) It works as both the body cavity and the alimentary canal.
2) It takes part in extra-cellular digestion or inter-cellular digestion, egestion etc and due to this, it is called ‘Gastrovascular
cavity’.
3) Respiratory and excretory substances are transported through Gastrovascular cavity i.e. Coelenteron.
4) It contains water and thus works as ‘Hydroskeleton’.

Aminul Sir
Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
Mouth aperture
01912 - 85 33 95 .

Tentacle

Epidermis
Cuticle
Testis
Gastrodermis
Musculo-epithelial cell
Mesogloea
Bud Mesogloea
Ovary
Flagellated nutritive cell

Coelenteron Cnidocyte
Interstitial cell

Gland cell Sensory cell

Pedal disc

Fig.: L.S. of Hydra Fig.: T.S. of Hydra

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Topic – 3  Cellular Morphology of Body wall :

i) Cells of Epidermis : 7 types of cells

ii) Cells of Gastrodermis or Endodermis : 5 types of cells .

i) Cells of Epidermis : 7 types of cells

A thin & flexible ‘Cuticle’ encloses the epidermis and forms the outermost layer of Hydra. The following 7 types of cells form
the Epidermis –

1) Musculo-Epithelial cell: These cells are more abundant and spread all over the epidermis. The outer side of the cell is
expanded, while inner end narrow. In the cytoplasm of each cell has vacuoles, mucous particles, nucleus and all other organelles
present in a typical animal cell. Two contractile-expandable fibres called ‘Myoneme’ lies parallelly to the body axis. Musculo-
epithelial cells of tentacles are much bigger & flat and each cell bears several Cnidoblasts (developing Cnidocyte). At one side,
these cell work as body covering; another side, function as muscle and due to these, the cells are called ‘Musculo-Epithelial cells’.

[ P.T.O. ]
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Aminul Sir
Functions : Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
01912 - 85 33 95 .
1) Protect the body by forming epithelium like epithelial cells.
2) Through contraction and expansion, Myoneme fibres act as muscles of the body.
3) Mucous particles secrete cuticle and make the body slippery.
4) Each cell bears more than one Nematocyst.

Vacuole
Mucous particles Cuticle
1. Musculo-Epithelial cell
7. Cnidocyte 2. Interstitial cell 3. Sensory cell

Epidermis

Mesogloea
4. Nerve cell

Fig.: T.S. showing the cells of Epidermis of Hydra (Partial)

2) Interstitial cell: In between the Musculo-epithelial cells and adjoining to mesogloea, a cluster of round or triangular cells,
are known as ‘Interstitial cells’. Each cell has - prominent nucleus, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome & some mitochondria.

Functions :
1) When necessary, this cell transforms into any type of epidermal cell.
2) Participates in regeneration and bud formation.
3) After several days, they convert into other cells and replace old cells of the body.

3) Sensory cell: Sensory cells are lying dispersely in between the Musculo-epithelial cells, forming right angle to epidermal
surface. They are more abundant at tentacles, hypostome & pedal disc. Each cell is narrow & elongated. Distal end of the cell
gives rise to fine ‘sensory hair’, while ‘nodulated fine fibre’ originates from the proximal end and attaches with nerve fibres.

Functions :
1) Different environmental stimuli (such as - light, heat etc) are received by sensory cell and send it to Nerve cell.

4) Nerve cell: Nerve cell consists of a cell body and two or more nodulated fine branched ‘Nerve fibres (process)’. They exist in
the mesogloea. Nerve fibres of the nerve cells join together, build ‘Nerve-network’.

Functions :
1) Co-ordinate and create appropriate response for each stimulus, received by the Sensory cell.
[ P.T.O. ]
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5) Gland cell: Gland cells are lying at mouth aperture (hypostome) and pedal disc. They are transformed epidermal cells and
elongated in shape. Distal end of the cell carries numerous secretory granules and muscle fibres are originated from proximal end.
These fibres arrange radially at mesogloea from the centre of pedal disc.

Functions : Aminul Sir

Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
1) Secretion of Gland cells of mouth aperture help to swallow / ingest the food. 01912 - 85 33 95 .
2) Secretes mucus (sticky juice) which helps Hydra to attach with any substratum.
3) Forms ‘Bubble’, so that Hydra can float on water surface.
4) Gland cells of pedal disc make pseudopod and move slowly to cover the very short distance. This type of locomotion is
known as ‘Gliding or Amoeboid movement’.

6) Germ cell: Germ cells are lying at gonad. Germ cells are two types – Sperm & Ovum. Each sperm has - a swollen ‘Head’ with
nucleus, ‘Middle piece’ with centriole and a movable ‘Tail’. Mature ovum is large & round; 3 polar bodies attach to it (ovum).

Functions :
1) Participates in sexual reproduction.

7) Cnidocyte: The stinging structure ‘Nematocyst’ bearing epidermal cell of Hydra which exists all over the epidermis, especially
in between or inside - the musculo-epithelial cells of tentacle, but absent at the pedal disc, is called ‘Cnidocyte’. Developing
Cnidocyte is known as ‘Cnidoblast’. Nematocyst carries toxic liquid ‘Hypnotoxin’. Food vacuole

Sensory cell
Functions :
Pseudopodial cell
1) Nematocyst of Cnidocyte is used to take food, movement and self-protection.
Gland cell

Interstitial cell

ii) Cells of Gastrodermis or Endodermis : 5 types of cells Flagellated cell

The structure of Gastrodermis is comparatively simpler than Epidermis. The following 5 types of cells form the Endodermis –

1) Nutritive cell or Musculo-Epithelial cell: These cells are more abundant and spread all over the gastrodermis. Each
cell is columner, having large nucleus and cell vacuole. Contractile muscle fibres are originated from proximal end of the cell and
stay at mesogloea by forming right angle.

Based on inner open edge (towards coelenteron) of the cells, Nutritive cells or Musculo-epithelial cells are 2 types –

i) Flagellated nutritive cell : Each cell has 1–4 flagella at its inner open edge (towards coelenteron).
ii) Pseudopodial nutritive cell : This cell has pseudopod at its inner open edge (towards coelenteron).

[ P.T.O. ]
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Aminul Sir
Functions : Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
01912 - 85 33 95 .
1) Muscle fibres of the cell contract and expand the body.
2) Cells of mouth aperture & tentacles act as ‘sphincter’ to close the opening.
3) Flagellated nutritive cells, through their lashing movement convert the food into small particles. They also help to take
water through mouth aperture, if necessary.
4) Pseudopodial nutritive cells engulf small food particles and perform intra-cellular digestion.

2) Interstitial cell: In between the Nutritive cells, a cluster of round or triangular cells, are known as ‘Interstitial cells’. Actually,
these cells came from epidermis. Each cell has - prominent nucleus, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome & some
mitochondria.

Functions :
1) When necessary, this cell transforms into any type of endodermal cell.

3) Sensory cell: Sensory cells are lying dispersely in between the Nutritive cells. Each cell is narrow & elongated. Distal end
towards coelenteron of the cell gives rise to fine ‘sensory hair’, while ‘hair’ originates from the proximal end and attaches with nerve
fibres at mesogloea.

Functions :
1) Probably, Sensory cell verifies the quality of food that entered with water in the coelenteron and sends the information to
the nerve cell.

4) Nerve cell: Nerve cell is positioned adjacent to mesogloea and less in number. Nerve cell consists of a cell body and two or
more fine branched ‘Nerve fibres (process)’. Nerve fibres of the nerve cells join together, build ‘Nerve-network’.

Functions :
1) Co-ordinate and create appropriate response against stimulus, received by the Sensory cell.

5) Gland cell: Gland cells comparatively smaller, without muscle fibres and are lying scatteredly between the space of Nutritive
cells. They are more abundant at mouth aperture (hypostome) and inner body trunk and are less at inner pedal disc. They are
absent at tentacles.
H.W.: Make a comparative study between
the cells of Epidermis and Endodermis.
Gland cells are 2 types –

i) Mucous secreting gland cell : They are located mainly at hypostome and secrete slippery ‘mucus’.
ii) Enzyme secreting gland cell: These gland cells are lying at all inner trunk and secrete enzymes for digestion.

Functions :
1) Gland cells of mouth aperture (hypostome) secrete mucus, which makes the food slippery and helps to swallow / ingest.
2) Gland cells of inner trunk secrete enzyme, which helps to digest the food.

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Aminul Sir
Lecturer (Biology), CESC.
Topic – 4  i) Structure of a typical Cnidocyte
01912 - 85 33 95 .
ii) Types of Nematocyst

iii) Mechanism of discharge of Nematocyst-thread .

i) Structure of a Typical Cnidocyte :

The stinging structure bearing epidermal cell of Hydra which exists all over the epidermis, especially in between or inside the
musculo-epithelial cells of tentacle, but absent at the pedal disc, is called ‘Cnidocyte’. Developing cnidocyte, is known as
‘Cnidoblast’.

A typical Cnidocyte resembles round or oval or pear or cup or top shaped. Its basal edge adjoining the mesogloea is narrow,
middle part is swollen and the top region is gradually tapering. Other structures of a typical Cnidocyte is described below –

Open string

Barbule
Cnidocil
Barb
Closed operculum
Butt / Shaft
Open operculum
Barb
Nematocyst
Coiled string
Muscle fibre Lasso
Cytoplasm
Nucleus

Fig.: Non-everted Cnidocyte Fig.: Everted Cnidocyte

1) Membrane: Each Cnidocyte cell is covered by a bi-layered membrane. Granular cytoplasm is lying between these two layers.
Nucleus is positioned at the basal region of the cell.

2) Nematocyst: Grk. nema = thread and kystis = bag / sac. The small sac-like capsule inside the cnidocyte, including a long,
narrow, hollow twisted string, is called ‘Nematocyst’. It is composed of two parts – i) Capsule, which is filled up by protein & phenol
made toxic liquid ‘Hypnotoxin’ and the – ii) String, which remains winded/coiled within the sac. The wider basal region of string is
called ‘Butt or Shaft’. At the butt, 3 large spines are called ‘Barb’ and spirally arranged small spines are called ‘Barbules’. Butt/Shaft
of a non-everted nematocyst along with spine & string locates reversely inside the capsule.

3) Operculum: The upper portion of nematocyst and capsule are covered with a lid, called ‘Operculum’. Whenever, nematocyst is
everted, it moves to one side.

4) Cnidocil: Above on the Cnidocyte, a hard, small, sensory thorn-like structure presents at one corner, called ‘Cnidocil’. Actually,
it is a modified cilium. Cnidocil acts as ‘trigger’, therefore the winded string everts outside the cnidocyte.

5) Muscle fibre & Lasso: Some fibres are originated from the capsule and enter the cytoplasm. Later, all the fibres combine,
connected with mesogloea through the base of Cnidocyte. Besides, a twisted tread also found just below the nematocyst, called
‘Lasso’.
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ii) Types of Nematocyst :

Based on the characteristics of ‘String’, in 1965 scientist Werner identified 23 types of Nematocyst from Cnidarian. Among
these, only 4 types of Nematocyst are available in Hydra –

1) Stenotile / Penetrant: This Nematocyst is the largest among the 4 types. Its string is long, hollow and the tip is open. Its Butt or
shaft is broad, having 3 large spines ‘Barb’ and 3 rows of spirally arranged small spines ‘Barbule’. Capsule is filled up by protein &
phenol made toxic liquid ‘Hypnotoxin’. Barb bores the integument of prey, penetrates the string and release hypnotoxin. Thus, prey
becomes paralyzed.

2) Volvent: This type of Nematocyst is comparatively small. Its string is short, wide, elastic, spineless and the tip is closed. It
creates twist like cork-screw as soon as it is everted. It helps to encircle the target / prey.

3) Streptoline glutinant: Its string is long, having spirally arranged spine and the tip is open. Butt or shaft is not well developed. It
secretes sticky juice which helps Hydra to locomote and captures the prey.

4) Stereoline glutinant: This Nematocyst is the smallest among the 4 types. Its string is long, butt or shaft is not well developed
and the tip is open. It also secretes sticky juice which helps Hydra to locomote and captures the prey.

iii) Mechanism of discharge of Nematocyst-thread :

The discharge mechanism of nematocyst-thread involves with a rapid change of osmotic pressure within the capsule.
Whenever, any prey comes closer to Hydra’s tentacles, the combine influence of mechanical stimulus (i.e. movement of prey) and
chemical substances of the body, increase the permeability of capsule membrane only for water. There is possibly a sudden
release of calcium (Ca2+) within the capsule and therefore the concentration of solute is increased. To make it dilute, water rushes
into the capsule and the intra-capsular pressure rises. This ‘hydrostatic pressure’ causes the operculum of cnidocyte to open and
the string (i.e. nematocyst-thread) to evert.

After opening of operculum, three barbs come out, make a hole, by puncturing the integument of prey. Then, the everting
string enters into the prey’s body through the hole of integument made by barbs. Finally, hypnotoxin releases inside the body of
prey through the opening of string. Thus, prey becomes paralyzed.

Nematocyst-thread being used once, it never be returned into the cnidocyte or does not use for second time. This nematocyst
bearing cnidocyte cell cannot create new nematocyst again. This cnidocyte goes to gastrovascular cavity or coelenteron and
digested along with the food. This is replaced by a new cnidocyte within 48 hours from interstitial cell.