Class 11 Biology Unit I

Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom

4.1. Basis of Classification
Types of digestive system
i. Complete: A complete digestive system has two openings: mouth and anus.
ii. Incomplete: An incomplete digestive system has only a single opening that serves as both
mouth and anus, e.g. in Platyhelminthes.
iii. Intracellular: Digestion takes place within the cytoplasm of the organism. It takes place in
animals without a digestive tract.
iv. Extracellular: Animals feed by secreting enzymes through the cell membrane onto the
food. The nutrients are then transferred into the blood and distributed to the body.
Types of circulatory system
i. Open: Blood is pumped out of the heart and the cells and tissues are directly bathed in it.
ii. Closed: Blood is circulated through a series of vessels of varying diameters (arteries, veins,
capillaries).
Types of fertilization
i. External: External fertilization usually occurs in aquatic environments where both egg
and sperm are released into the water. After the sperm reaches the egg, fertilization takes
place.
ii. Internal: Internal fertilization usually occurs in land-based animals. There are three ways
that offspring are produced following internal fertilization:
a. oviparity: Fertilized eggs are laid outside the female’s body and develop there,
receiving nourishment from the yolk that is part of the egg.
b. ovoviviparity: Fertilized eggs are retained in the female, but the embryo obtains its
nourishment from the egg’s yolk and the young ones are fully developed when they
are hatched.
c. viviparity: The young ones develop within the female, receiving nourishment from
the mother’s blood through a placenta. The offspring develops in the female and is
born alive.
Types of development
i. Direct: It is a type of development in which an embryo develops into a mature individual
without involving a larval stage. Metamorphosis is absent.
ii. Indirect: It is a type of development that involves a sexually immature larval stage, having
different food requirements than adults. Metamorphosis is present.
Classification based on gamete produced
i. Monoecious: The individual produces the male as well as well as the female gamete. Sexes
are not separate (hermaphroditism).
ii. Dioecious: Sexes are distinct (sexual dimorphism).

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Types of thermoregulation
i. poikilotherms or ectotherms: They are organisms that use external sources of
temperature to regulate their body temperatures. They are colloquially referred to as
“cold-blooded”.
ii. homeotherms or endotherms: They are organisms that regulate their own body
temperature through internal metabolic processes. They are colloquially referred to as
“warm-blooded”.
Anatomical terminology
• dorsal refers to the “upper side” of the animal body
• ventral refers to the “under side” of the animal body
• anterior refers to the “front side” of the animal body
• posterior refers to the “back side” of the animal body
• dorsoventral means extending along an axis joining the dorsal and ventral surfaces
4.1.1. Levels of Organization
Cellular Cells are arranged as loose aggregates. Some division
Example: sponges
level of labour occur among the cells.
Tissue Cells performing the same function are arranged into
Coelenterates
level tissues. The arrangement is more complex.
Organ Tissues are grouped together to form specialized
Platyhelminthes
level organs.
Organ Annelids, Arthropods,
Organs have associated to form functional systems,
system Molluscs, Echinoderms,
each concerned with a specific physiological function.
level Chordates

4.1.2. Symmetry
Any plane that passes through the center does
Asymmetrical Example: sponges
not divide them into equal halves.
Any plane passing through the central axis of the Coelenterates,
Radial
body divides the organism into two identical ctenophores,
symmetry
halves. echinoderms
Bilateral Body can be divided into left and right halves in
Annelids, Arthropods
symmetry only one plane.

4.1.3. Diploblastic and Triploblastic Organization

Embryonic germ layers
In multicellular organisms, the single-celled zygote undergoes rapid cell division (cleavage)
to form a hollow ball of cells called a blastula. After a series of steps, the cells in the blastula
rearrange themselves spatially to form three layers of cells (gastrulation). Each of the layers
of cells is called a germ layer and will differentiate into different organ systems.
i. the ectoderm gives rise to the nervous system and epidermis, among other tissues.
ii. the mesoderm gives rise to the muscle cells and connective tissue in the body.
iii. the endoderm gives rise to the gut and many internal organs.

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• Animals in which the cells are arranged in two embryonic layers, an external ectoderm
and an internal endoderm, are called diploblastic animals, e.g. coelenterates. An
undifferentiated layer, mesoglea, is present between the ectoderm and the endoderm.
• Animals in which the developing embryo has a third germinal layer, mesoderm, in
between the ectoderm and endoderm, are called triploblastic animals.
(Platyhelminthes to chordates)
• Organisms that have cellular level of organization lack true tissues and are therefore
neither diploblastic nor triploblastic, e.g. Porifera.

4.1.4. Coelom
✓ Coelom is the body cavity which is lined by the mesoderm.

• Acoelomates: Simple organisms having no body cavity, e.g. Platyhelminthes.

• Coelomates: Complex organisms having true cavity lined by mesoderm from all sides.
e.g. annelids to chordates
• Pseudocoelomates: Organisms having false coelom. They have pouches of mesoderm
scattered between endoderm and ectoderm. e.g. aschelminthes

4.1.5. Segmentation
✓ Segmentation is the division of the body into segments or somites with a serial
repetition of at least some organs.

• Metameric segmentation (or metamerism): A segmentation that simultaneously

divides the body both externally and internally. e.g. earthworm
• False segmentation (or pseudometamerism): The body is divisible into parts or
segments called proglottids. They develop from the neck but are not embryonic in
origin. e.g. tapeworm

4.1.6. Notochord
✓ Notochord is a mesodermally-derived rod-like structure formed on the dorsal side
during embryonic development in some animals.

Organisms can be:

• without notochord (non-chordates) e.g. porifera to echinoderms
• with notochord (chordates)
• with notochord in initial embryonic stages and vertebral column in adult phase

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4.2. Classification of Animals

4.2.1. Phylum Porifera (sponges)

•
They are mostly asymmetrical.
Structure
•
They have cellular level of body organization.
•
Water enters through minute pores (ostia) in the body wall into a
central cavity, spongocoel, from where it goes out through the osculum.
Canal system This pathway of water transport is helpful in food gathering, respiratory
exchange, and removal of waste.
• Choanocytes or collar cells line the spongocoel and the canals.
Digestion • Digestion is intracellular.
• They can be dioecious or monoecious.
• Sponges reproduce asexually by fragmentation and sexually by gamete
Reproduction
formation.
• Fertilization is internal and development is indirect.
Examples Sycon (Scypha), Spongilla (Freshwater sponge), Euspongia (Bath sponge)

4.2.2. Phylum Coelenterata (Cnidaria)

•
They are radially symmetrical and diploblastic.
•
They have tissue level of body organization.
Structure
•
Some of the cnidarians, such as corals, have a skeleton composed of
calcium carbonate.
• Cnidarians exhibit two basic body forms: polyp and medusa.
• The polyp is a cup-shaped body with the mouth facing upwards. They
are sessile/immobile, e.g. Hydra, Adamsia.
Body forms
• The medusa is an umbrella/bell-shaped body with the mouth and
tentacles facing downwards. They are free-swimming, e.g. Aurelia, jelly
fish.
• Cnidocytes, also known as cnidoblasts or nematocytes, are explosive
Cnidocytes cells present on the tentacles and the body. They contain stinging
(stinging capsules called nematocysts or cnidocysts.
cells) • Cnidoblasts are used for anchorage, defense, and for the capture of
prey.
Habitat • They are mostly marine organisms.
• Cnidarians have a central gastro-vascular cavity with a single opening,
Digestion mouth or hypostome.
• Digestion is extracellular and intracellular.
• The cnidarians have nerve tissue organized into a net-like structure,
Coordination called nerve-net, with connected nerve cells dispersed throughout the
body.
• The cnidarians which exist in both forms exhibit alternation of
Reproduction generation (metagenesis), i.e. polyps produce medusae asexually and
medusae form the polyps sexually (e.g. Obelia).
Physalia (Portuguese man-of-war), Adamsia (Sea anemone), Pennatula
Examples
(Sea-pen), Gorgonia (Sea-fan), Meandrina (Brain coral)

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4.2.3. Phylum Ctenophora (sea walnuts or comb jellies)

•
They are radially symmetrical and triploblastic organisms.
•
They have tissue level of body organization.
Structure •
The body bears 8 external rows of ciliated comb plates, which help in
locomotion.
• Bioluminescence is well-marked.
Digestion • Digestion is extracellular and intracellular.
• They are monoecious.
Reproduction • Reproduction is sexual.
• Fertilization is external and development is indirect.
Examples Pleurobrachia, Ctenoplana

4.2.4. Phylum Platyhelminthes (flatworms)

•
They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and acoelomate.
Structure •
They have organ level of body organization.
•
They have a dorso-ventrally flattened body.
•
They are mostly endoparasites found in animals including human
Habitat
beings.
• Hooks aid the organism in getting attached to the organs of the host and
Digestion
suckers help it in absorbing nutrients from the host tissues.
• They are monoecious.
Reproduction
• Fertilization is internal and development is direct.
Excretion • Specialized flame cells help in osmoregulation and excretion.
Examples Taenia (Tapeworm), Fasciola (Liver fluke)

4.2.5. Phylum Aschelminthes (roundworms)

• They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and pseudocoelomate

animals.
Structure
• They have organ-system level of body organization.
• The body is circular in cross-section.
• They may be free-living, aquatic and terrestrial, or parasitic in plants
Habitat
and animals.
• Alimentary canal is complete with a well-developed muscular pharynx
Digestion
and excretory pore for excretion.
• They are dioecious. Females are often longer than males.
Reproduction
• Fertilization is internal and development may be direct or indirect.
• Ascaris (Roundworm), Wuchereria (Filaria worm), Ancylostoma
Examples
(Hookworm)

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4.2.6. Phylum Annelida

•
They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate, and
metamerically-segmented organisms.
• They have organ-system level of body organization.
• They have a hydrostatic skeleton.
Structure
• They possess longitudinal and circular muscles, and external bristles
called setae, for locomotion.
• Aquatic annelids like Nereis possess lateral appendages called
parapodia which help in swimming.
Habitat • They may be free-living, aquatic or terrestrial, and sometimes parasitic.
Circulation • A closed circulatory system is present.
• Neural system consists of paired ganglia connected by lateral nerves to
Coordination
a double ventral nerve cord.
• Reproduction is sexual.
Reproduction • The aquatic annelid Nereis is dioecious with external fertilization, but
earthworms and leeches are monoecious with internal fertilization.
Excretion • Nephridia help in osmoregulation and excretion.
Examples Nereis, Pheretima (Earthworm), Hirudinaria (Blood sucking leech)

4.2.7. Phylum Arthropoda (largest phylum)

•
They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate and
segmented organisms.
• They have organ-system level of body organization.
Structure • The body is covered by a chitinous exoskeleton. Since the exoskeleton
limits their growth, they shed it and grow a larger one in a process
known as molting.
• The body consists of head, thorax, and abdomen. They have jointed
appendages.
• This is the largest phylum of Animalia which includes insects.
Habitat
• Over two-thirds of all named species on earth are arthropods.
Respiration • Respiratory organs are gills, book gills, book lungs or tracheal system.
Circulation • An open circulatory system is present.
Excretion • Excretion takes place through Malpighian tubules.
• They are mostly dioecious.
Reproduction • Fertilization is internal and development may be direct or indirect.
• They are mostly oviparous.
Economically important: Apis (Honeybee), Bombyx (Silkworm), Laccifer
(Mosquitoes)
Examples Vectors: Anopheles, Culex, Aedes (Mosquitoes)
Gregarious pest: Locusta (Locust)
Living fossil: Limulus (King crab)

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4.2.8. Phylum Mollusca (second largest phylum)

•
They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, coelomate, and
unsegmented animals.
• They have organ-system level of body organization.
• The body is covered by a calcareous shell, with a distinct head, muscular
Structure
foot, and visceral hump.
• A soft and spongy layer of skin forms a mantel over the visceral hump.
• The space between the hump and the mantle is called the mantel cavity
in which feather like gills are present.
• This is the second-largest phylum of Animalia.
Habitat
• They are terrestrial or aquatic.
Digestion • The mouth contains a file-like rasping organ for feeding, called radula.
Circulation • Most mollusks have an open circulatory system.
Coordination • The anterior head region has sensory tentacles.
Excretion • The mantel cavity has respiratory and excretory functions.
• They are usually dioecious.
Reproduction • Fertilization is internal and development is indirect.
• They are oviparous.
Pila (Apple snail), Pinctada (Pearl oyster), Sepia (Cuttlefish), Loligo
Examples (Squid), Octopus (Devil fish), Aplysia (Sea-hare), Dentalium (Tusk shell),
Chaetopleura (Chiton)

4.2.9. Phylum Echinodermata

•
They are triploblastic and coelomate animals.
•
The adult echinoderms are radially symmetrical, but larvae are
bilaterally symmetrical.
Structure • They have an organ-system level of body organization.
• The animals have an endoskeleton of calcareous ossicles.
• Echinoderms have a characteristic water vascular system which helps
in locomotion, capture and transport of food, and respiration.
• Digestive system is complete with mouth on the ventral side and anus
Digestion
on the dorsal side.
Circulation • An open circulatory system is present.
Excretion • An excretory system is absent.
• They are dioecious.
• Reproduction is sexual.
Reproduction
• Fertilization is usually external, and development is indirect with free-
swimming larva.
Asterias (Star fish), Echinus (Sea urchin), Antedon (Sea lily), Cucumaria
Examples
(Sea cucumber), Ophiura (Brittle star)

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4.2.10. Phylum Hemichordata

•
They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and coelomate animals.
•
They have organ-system level of body organization.
Structure •
The body is cylindrical and is composed of an anterior proboscis, a
collar, and a long trunk.
• Hemichordates have a rudimentary notochord-like structure in the
collar region called stomochord.
Respiration • Respiration takes place through gills.
Circulation • An open circulatory system is present.
Excretion • The excretory system is proboscis gland.
• They are dioecious.
Reproduction
• Fertilization is external and development is indirect.
Examples Balanoglossus and Saccoglossus

4.2.11. Phylum Chordata

• They are bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic, and coelomate animals.

• They have organ-system level of body organization.
Structure • They have a notochord, a dorsal hollow nerve cord and paired pharyngeal
gill slits.
• They possess a post-anal tail.
Circulation • A closed circulatory system is present.

Subphyla of Phylum Chordata

Urochordata (marine) Cephalochordata (marine)
The notochord is present The notochord extends from
only in larval tail. head to tail region and is
persistent throughout their
life.
Examples: Ascidia, Salpa, Examples: Banchiostoma
Doliolum (Amphioxus or Lancelet)
Vertebrata
The notochord is present
during the embryonic period
but develops into a vertebral
column in the adult phase.

Common Characteristics of Subphylum Vertebrata

• ventral muscular heart with two, three or four chambers
• kidneys for excretion and osmoregulation
• paired appendages (fins or limbs)
Classes of Subphylum Vertebrata

Gnathostomata (bears jaws)

Agnatha (lacks jaw)
Pisces (bear fins) Tetrapoda (bear limbs)
Chondrichthyes, Amphibia, Reptilia,
Osteichthyes Aves, Mammalia

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4.2.11.1 Class Cyclostoma (jawless fish)

•They have a sucking and circular mouth without jaws.

Structure •Their body is devoid of scales and paired fins.
•Cranium and vertebral column are cartilaginous.
•Cyclostomes are marine but migrate to freshwater for spawning.
Habitat •They die within few days of spawning and their larvae, after
metamorphosis, return to the ocean.
Respiration • They have an elongated body bearing 6-15 pairs of gill slits for respiration.
Circulation • Circulation is of closed type.
Examples Petromyzon (Lamprey), Myxine (Hagfish)

4.2.11.2. Class Chondrichthyes (cartilage fish)

• They have a streamlined body shape and a cartilaginous endoskeleton.

• Notochord is persistent throughout life.
Structure • The skin is tough, containing minute placoid scales.
• Due to lack of air bladder, they have to swim constantly to avoid sinking.
• Some have electric organs (e.g. Torpedo) or poison stings (e.g. Trygon)
• They are marine animals.
Habitat
• Their jaws are powerful, and these animals are predaceous.
• Mouth is located ventrally.
Digestion
• Teeth are modified placoid scales which are backwardly directed.
Respiration • Gill slits are separate without operculum (gill cover).
• Heart is two-chambered.
Circulation
• They are poikilothermic.
• They are dioecious. In males, pelvic fins bear claspers.
Reproduction • They have internal fertilization.
• Many of them are viviparous.
Scoliodon (Dog fish), Pristis (Saw fish), Carcharodon (Great white shark),
Examples
Trygon (Sting ray)

4.2.11.3. Class Osteichthyes (bony fish)

• The body is streamlined.

• They have a bony endoskeleton.
Structure
• Skin is covered with cycloid/ctenoid scales.
• Swim bladder (or air bladder) is present which regulated buoyancy.
Habitat • It includes both marine and freshwater fishes.
Respiration • They have four pairs of gills, covered by an operculum on each side.
• Heart is two-chambered.
Circulation
• They are poikilothermic.
• They are dioecious and oviparous.
Reproduction
• Fertilization is usually external, and development is direct.
Marine: Exocoetus (Flying fish), Hippocampus (Sea horse)
Examples Freshwater: Labeo (Rohu), Catla (Katla), Clarias (Magur)
Aquarium: Betta (Fighting fish), Pterophyllum (Angel fish)

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4.2.11.4. Class Amphibia

•
Most of them have two pairs of limbs.
•
Body is divisible into head and trunk. Tail may be present in some.
•
The skin is moist (without scales).
Structure
•
The eyes have eyelids, and a tympanum represents the ear.
•
Alimentary canal, urinary, and reproductive tracts open into a common
chamber called cloaca which opens to the exterior.
Habitat • They can live in aquatic as well as terrestrial habitats.
Respiration • Respiration is by gills, lungs, and through skin (cutaneous respiration).
• The heart is three-chambered.
Circulation
• They are poikilothermic.
• They are dioecious.
Reproduction • Fertilization is external and development is indirect.
• They are oviparous.
Bufo (Toad), Rana (Frog), Hyla (Tree frog), Salamandra (Salamander),
Examples
Ichthyophis (Limbless amphibia)

4.2.11.5. Class Reptilia

•
The body is covered by dry and cornified skin, epidermal scales or
scutes.
Structure • Snakes and lizards shed their scales as skin cast.
• A tympanum represents the ear.
• Limbs, when present, are two pairs.
Habitat • They are mostly terrestrial.
• Heart is usually three-chambered, but four-chambered in crocodiles.
Circulation
• They are poikilothermic.
• They are dioecious.
Reproduction • Fertilization is internal and development is direct.
• They are oviparous.
Chelone (Turtle), Testudo (Tortoise), Chameleon (Tree lizard), Calotes
(Garden lizard), Crocodilus (Crocodile), Alligator (Alligator),
Examples
Hemidactylus (Wall lizard)
Poisonous snakes: Naja (Cobra), Bangarus (Krait), Vipera (Viper)

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4.2.11.6. Class Aves

•
Feathers are present and most of them can fly except for flightless birds.
•
They possess beak.
•
The forelimbs are modified into wings.
Structure •
The hindlimbs generally have scales and are modified for walking,
swimming, or clasping tree branches.
• Skin is dry without glands except the oil gland at the base of the tail.
• Endoskeleton is fully ossified (body) and the long bones are hollow with
air cavities (pneumatic).
Digestion • The digestive tract has additional chambers, the crop and gizzard.
• Respiration is by lungs.
Respiration
• Air sacs connected to lungs supplement respiration.
• Heart is four-chambered.
Circulation
• They are homeothermic.
• They are dioecious.
Reproduction • Fertilization is internal and development is direct.
• They are oviparous.
Corvus (Crow), Columba (Pigeon), Psittacula (Parrot), Struthio (Ostrich),
Examples
Pavo (Peacock), Aptenodytes (Penguin), Neophron (Vulture)

4.2.11.7. Class Mammalia

•
They have mammary glands to nourish the young ones.
•
They have two pairs of limbs which are adapted for walking, running,
climbing, burrowing, swimming, or flying.
Structure
• The skin is unique in possessing hair.
• External ears (pinnae) are present.
• Different types of teeth are present in the jaw.
• They are found in a variety of habitats – polar ice caps, deserts,
Habitat
mountains, forests, grasslands, and dark caves.
Respiration • Respiration is by lungs.
Circulation • Heart is four-chambered.
• They are dioecious.
Reproduction • Fertilization is internal and development is direct.
• They are mostly viviparous.
Oviparous: Ornithorhynchus (Platypus)
Viviparous: Macropus (Kangaroo), Pteropus (Flying fox), Camelus
Examples (Camel), Macaca (Monkey), Rattus (Rat), Canis (Dog), Felis (Cat), Elephas
(Elephant), Equus (Horse), Delphinus (Common dolphin), Balaenoptera
(Blue whale), Panthera tigris (Tiger), Panthera leo (Lion).

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12
Distinctive
Body Digestive Circulatory Respirato Excretory
Phylum Symmetry Coelom Segments Reproduction structural
organization system System ry System system
features
absent;
dioecious or
mostly absent; exchange ostia, spongocoel,
Porifera cellular absent absent absent monoecious; osculum
absent intracellular through osculum
internal; indirect
canal
Appendix A4.1. Comparative Study of Different Phyla in Kingdom Animalia

incomplete;
absent; but polyp and
tissue; intra- and exhibit
Cnidaria radial absent absent have nerve- absent medusa;
diploblastic extra- metagenesis
net cnidocytes
cellular
incomplete;
tissue; intra- and monoecious; ciliated comb
Ctenophora radial absent absent absent absent
triploblastic extra- external; indirect plates
cecllular
incomplete; dorso-ventrally
organ; monoecious;
Platyhelminthes bilateral absent absent suckers for absent absent flame cells flattened body;
triploblastic internal; direct
absorption hooks
organ dioecious;
excretory circular in cross
Aschelminthes system; bilateral pseudo absent complete absent absent internal;
pore section
triploblastic direct/indirect
dioecious and
organ present; longitudinal and
present; external (Nereis);
Annelida system; bilateral present complete consists of absent nephridia circular muscles,
metameric monoecious and
triploblastic ganglia setae; parapodia
internal
present; dioecious; chitinous
organ through
present; open internal; indirect Malpighian exoskeleton;
Arthropoda system; bilateral present present complete gills, book
type or direct; tubules head, thorax,
triploblastic gills, oviparous abdomen
lungs,
present; or
organ complete; present; open tracheal dioecious; shell, head, foot,
through mantel
Mollusca system; bilateral present absent radula for type; sensory system internal; indirect; visceral hump,
mantel cavity
triploblastic feeding tentacles oviparous mantel
cavity
radial complete; present; endoskeleton of
organ
(adult) water present; open through dioecious; calcareous
Echinodermata system; present absent absent
bilateral vascular type water external; indirect ossicles; water
triploblastic

Animal Kingdom
(larva) system vascular vascular system
Class 11 Biology

system
organ present; proboscis, collar,
present; open dioecious, proboscis
Hemichordata system; bilateral present absent complete through trunk,
type external, indirect gland
triploblastic gills stomochord
organ notochord, hollow
present; nerve cord,
Chordata system; bilateral present present complete present dioecious varies
closed type pharyngeal gill
triploblastic
slits; post-anal
tail
Class 11 Biology Unit I

Appendix A4.2. Examples and pictures of animals belonging to different phyla

Arthropods, e.g. mosquito, scorpion, butterfly

Porifera, e.g. Euspongia, Sycon

Mollusca, e.g. snail, octopus

Cnidaria, e.g. Adamsia, jellyfish

Echinodermata, e.g. starfish, sea cucumber

Ctenophora, e.g. Ctenoplana

Platyhelminthes, e.g. tapeworm, liver fluke

Hemichordata, e.g. Balanoglossus

Aschelminthes, e.g. roundworm, filarial worm,

hookworm

Annelida, e.g. earthworm, Nereis, etc.

Chordata, e.g. humans

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