UNIT 7 Notes #2 - Phylum CNIDARIA A) Examples of Cnidarians 1.

Hydras -Class Hydrozoa -Spend most of life as a polyp - No medusa stage 2. Jellyfish -Class Scyphozoa -Jellyfish go through the same life-cycle stages as hydrozoans. -In Scyphozoans the medusa is large and longer living, and the polyp stage is restricted to a tiny larval stage. -The nematocysts (stinging threads on tentacles) of most jellyfish are harmless to humans, but a few can cause painful stings. 3. Sea Anemones and Corals -Class Anthozoa -Anthozoans have only the polyp stage in their life cycle.

B) Cnidarian Characteristics: Body Plan: - Radially symmetrical body with a single opening. - Opening will allow food to enter and wastes to leave - Surrounding the mouth is a ring of tentacles (usually contains stinging cells) - Tentacles contain nematocysts; when touched, the nematocyst thrusts out a spring-loaded poisonous thread into its prey, paralyzing or trapping it. - Separating the outer ectoderm from the inner endoderm is a layer of mesoglea. (Mesoglea offers support for the animal). -The body has two alternate but similar body forms. a) POLYPS Usually attached to some object with the mouth and tentacles directed upwards. - Sessile (non-motile stuck to the bottom) b) MEDUSA Is free swimming with the mouth and tentacles directed downwards.

- Locomotion is achieved by individual muscle-like epidermal cells all working together to change shape. - Nematocysts fire on contact; after paralyzing its prey, it pushes the food into its mouth with its tentacles.

C) Various Body Systems: 1) DIGESTION: Food is pushed into the central cavity where gland cells release enzymes in order to digest food. Other cells of the endoderm will then absorb the digested nutrients. Indigestible material will then be eliminated out of the mouth. 2) CIRCULATION: There is no true circulatory system. Food/nutrient particles will be passed through the central cavity by body movements and by flagellated cells in the endoderm. Thus the cavity is involved in both digestion and circulation. This cavity is called the gastrovascular cavity.

3) RESPIRATION and EXCRETION: -Both take place by diffusion with the water that bathes the tissues. 4) NERVOUS: There is a limited amount of nervous and sensory tissue. This nerve net is used for coordination. Sensory cells are sensitive to touch and various chemicals. 5) MUSCULAR: Lack muscle cells, but epidermal cells can contract and change shape when stimulated. 6) REPRODUCTION: Asexual- Many polyps will reproduce by budding, this may form new polyps or medusae. Sexual - Medusae reproduces sexually. Testes will produce sperm which travel through the water to the ovary which has produced eggs. - The fertilized eggs are released out of the mouth to develop into ciliated larvae (Planulae), this stage will usually develop into a young polyp. - Some Cnidarians (ex hydra, sea anemone) have polyps that can also reproduce sexually.

D) Advantages of Motile and Non-Motile Stages/Forms In Life Cycle: a) If motile, organism can find new food; if non-motile, you stay in one place and you can run out of food. b) Advantage of being sessile (non-motile) is that they can hide from predators and they dont have to worry about washing ashore. c) Disadvantage of being motile is that you can easily get carried away by the water currents. E) Ecological Roles of Cnidarians: - Form symbiotic relationships with other animals. - Coral reefs are shelter for many marine animals. They contain tunnels, caves, and deep channels in which animals live. Coral reefs provide habitat for many fish and food for many other animals that produce valuable shells, pearls, and jewelry.

-Protect land from erosion by reducing wave action. If destroyed, large amounts of shoreline maybe washed away. -Medical research of chemicals produced by many Cnidarians. - New Antibiotics - New Anticancer Chemicals