BIOLOGY II

SCI 1044

ASSIGNMENT 1

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

PHYLUM CNIDARIA

NAME MUHAMMAD HARRAZ NAZRAN BIN HANAS

MOHAMAD AKMAL BIN AZLAN RAOUS
WAN MUHAMMAD FAIQQ FIRASH BIN MOHD ALI
COLLEGE ID KMK2301202
KMK2301162
KMK2301064
PROGRAMME FIS-YTP

CLASS TUTORIAL FC1

LECTURE NAME TEACHER ZETY SHEREEN BINTI ABU BAKAR

DATE SUBMIT 5/3/2024

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 CONTENT

Nu. Content Page

1 Introduction 3
2 Example 4

3 Classification 5

4 Characteristics 6

5 Reproduction 8

6 Respiration and respiratory organ 10

7 Life cycle 11

8 Survival way 12

9 References 13

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 INTRODUCTION

The phylum Cnidaria includes soft-bodied stinging animals such as corals, sea
anemones, and jellyfish. The phylum’s name is derived from the Greek root word cnid-
meaning nettle, a stinging plant. Cnidarians are found in many aquatic environments.
Sea anemones are widely distributed, from cold arctic waters to the equator, from
shallow tide pools to the bottom of the deep ocean.

Jellyfish float near the surface of the open oceans and in some tropical freshwater lakes.
Corals are found primarily in shallow tropical waters, but a few grow in deep cold ocean
waters. Small anemone-like cnidarians like Hydra sp. are also found in freshwater lakes
and streams. Cnidarians range in size from tiny animals no bigger than a pinhead to
graceful giants with trailing tentacles several meters long.

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 EXAMPLE

Box jellyfish – Carybdea branchi Jellyfish – Phyllorhiza punctata

Siphonophore – Physalia physalis Polypodium hydriforme

Cerianthus filiformis Sea anemones

Sea fan Gorgonia ventalina Coral Acropora muricata

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 CLASSIFICATION OF CNIDARIA

Class: Hydrozoa Class: Scyphozoa Class: Anthozoa

Interesting Facts - Generally 6-12 inches Interesting Facts-
Have many cell types or more in diameter, Vary greatly in
but form only two scalloped rims and a appearance. Many
tissue types for their complex patterns of species are shaded of
bodies, epidermus digestive canals seen red, pink and purple,
and gastrodermis. within the medusa while others are blue,
yellow, white and
orange.

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 CHARACTERISTIC OF HYDROZOA

Hydrozoa Consist of
several marine
organisms existing in all
three layers of the
marine Habitat. Some
hydrozoans live on the
surface floating with
large sail like structures
above water for
locomotion and long
tentacles with
nematocytes or stinging
cells below the surface
to catch the food

Second group live in the middle water zone or pelagic region

Shaped with long tentacles emerging from the ventral region

Anchor themselves to the substrate

Grow very large covering mass amounts of ocean substrate

Almost entirely marine and predators

Sexual reproduction producess the planula larvae

Gastrovascular cavity has one opening which is the mouth

Feeds with long tentacles that extend from around the mouth

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 CHARACTERISTIC OF SCYPHOZOA

Generally 6-12 inches or

more in diamter,
scyphozoans have
scalloped rims and a
complex pattern of
digestive canals seen
within the medusa.
Medusae can be
identified by the absence
of a vellum within the
margin of the bell.

Medusae can be identified by the absence of a velllum

The mesoglea is thick and firm and contains amoebocytes

Most medusae are carnivorus but some are filter feeder

The shape of most Scyphozoan is radial symmetry

The Scyphozoan is in marine habitat

Dominate medusa stage mostly free-swimming

Have short or long tentacles with nematocysts

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 REPRODUCTION

There are Phylum Cnidaria such as hydras reproduce by

sexual reproduction. The hydras have testes to produce
and release sperm and ovaries to produce and release
eggs.

There are some organisms which are called

simultaneous hermaphrodites and release gametes
into the ocean in egg-sperm bundles. Fertilization
occurs in the water and forms a fertilized eggs or larva.

This zygote develops into free-swimming Planula

larva. It will develop into an adult hydra. Buds may
develop on the hydra that can break off and form
more new hydras asexually which is budding
process.

Sperm diffuse
into egg cell

egg cell
become a
zygote

SEXUAL

It hatch to
aminiature
hydra

new hydra form

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 Polyp

ASEXUAL Ephyra

Medusa

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 RESPIRATION AND RESPIRATORY ORGAN

Respiration and respiratory organ

In the phylum Cnidaria, which includes animals like jellyfish,

corals, and sea anemones, respiratory functions are primarily
carried out through diffusion across the body surface. Cnidarians
lack specialized respiratory organs like lungs or gills found in more
complex animals. Their bodies are relatively simple, with a sac-like
structure called the gastrovascular cavity serving multiple
functions, including digestion, circulation, and gas exchange.

Through diffusion, oxygen from the surrounding water enters the

body and carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration,
is released back into the water. This process occurs across the
thin tissues lining the gastrovascular cavity and the body wall.
Since cnidarians are relatively small and have a simple body plan,
diffusion is sufficient to meet their respiratory needs.

Phylum Cnidaria do not possess true respiratory organs like lungs or gills as found in
higher animals. Instead, they rely on simple diffusion to exchange gases, such as oxygen
and carbon dioxide, with their surroundings.
Cnidarians have a relatively simple body plan, consisting of two tissue layers: an outer
epidermis and an inner gastrodermis, separated by a jelly-like substance called
mesoglea. Because of their small size and the thinness of their body walls, gases can
diffuse directly across their body surface. This means that oxygen from the water can
diffuse into their cells, while carbon dioxide can diffuse out.
The process of gas exchange in cnidarians occurs across their entire body surface,
rather than through specialized respiratory structures. This is sufficient for their needs
given their relatively small size and simple body design.

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 LIFE CYCLE

There are 2 stage of life cycles which are polyp and medusa. Medusa stage is the stage
where adult jellyfish tentacles are hanging downward. It will allow greater dispersal of
the species because they are typically free-swimming organisms. This can increase the
mobility the chances of encountering new habitats and resources.

Furthermore, on medusa stage is often the reproductive phase of cnidarians which will
release gametes into the water for fertilization. Finally, it allows cnidarians to feed
efficiently on plankton and small organisms by using their tentacles and stinging cells.

For the polyp stage, it is the stage where adult jellyfish tentacles are hanging upward.
It will allow attachment and stability because it will provide stability against water
current and predator. After that, it is feeding and growth because they will extend
their tentacles to capture prey by using specialized stinging cells which is cnidocytes
so the polyps can grow and develop.

Furthermore, usually the polyp stage will reproduce through asexually reproduction.
This cause new polyps grow as outgrowth from original polyp. Moreover, it will cause
formation of medusae through a process strobilation. The polyps will undergo
transformation and eventually release immature medusae. Finally, it will provide survival
strategy for cnidarians, especially in environment with variable conditions or threats.

Medusa

Ephyra

Budding polyp

Polyp

Planula larva

Zygote

Egg and sperm

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 SURVIVAL WAY

Cnidae Polyp and Medusa Forms Mutualistic Relationship

Most specialized cell Cnidarians exhibit two Cnidarians have formed

have cnidocytes which main body forms: mutualistic relationships
have stinging cell polyps and medusae. with other organisms.
named cnidae that is Polyps are typically One well-known
used for defence against sessile or attached to a example is the
predator and capturing substrate, while symbiotic relationship
prey or engage in medusae are free- between cnidarians
symbiotic relationship swimming. This (such as corals) and
with photosynthetic evolutionary adaptation photosynthetic algae
algae (zooxanthellae). provides cnidarians with called zooxanthellae.
flexibility in their The algae live within
lifestyles. Polyps are the tissues of
well-suited for a cnidarians, providing
sedentary lifestyle, them with nutrients
while medusae are through photosynthesis
efficient swimmers and while benefiting from a
can actively search for protected environment.
food or disperse to new
areas.

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 REFERENCES

https://chat.openai.com/c/9d371df9-7d6f-499c-960b-1e93826eeaff

https://byjus.com/neet/cnidaria/

https://www.marinebio.org/creatures/marine-
invertebrates/cnidarians/#:~:text=One%20well%2Dknown%20example%20is,benefiting%2
0from%20a%20protected%20environment.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cnidarians+colony&oq=cnidarians+colony&gs_lcrp=EgZj
aHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yCAgCEAAYFhgeMg0IAxAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBBA
AGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBRAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBhAAGIYDGIAEGIoFMg0IBxAAGIYDGIAEGIoF
0gEINDY3NGowajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

https://www.vedantu.com/animal/cnidaria

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooqAbda7S9c

https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-reproduction-of-cnidarians.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rhdmss0-x34

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