Questions and Answers
What is the kingdom, phylum, and class for the clam?
Kingdom - Animalia, Phylum - Mollusca, Class - Bivalva
Describe the body of the bivalves.
Shell divided by two halves and connected by a hinge; coelmate with 2 openings.
How do bivalves move?
Use muscular foot to burrow.
Why are they called bivalves?
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Do bivalves show cephalization? Explain your answer.
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What are siphons and what are their purpose?
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Body organs make up the __________ mass and are protected by the _________ which secretes the ___________.
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Is circulation open or closed?
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Why are clams referred to as 'filter feeders'?
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What is the oldest part of the clam shell?
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How do clams open and close their shells?
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How does a clam draw water into its mantle cavity?
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What is the purpose of the incurrent siphon's behavior?
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Describe the shape of a clam's foot.
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How does the clam use its foot for movement?
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Why is the layer called mother of pearl appropriately named?
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What is the oldest part of a clam's shell called and how can it be located?
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What do the rings on the clam's shell indicate?
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Name the clam's siphons.
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What holds the two shells together?
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What muscles open and close the clam?
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Describe the lining of the shell.
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What is the function of the tooth-like projections at the dorsal edge of the clam's valves?
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Where is the mantle located in the clam and what is its function?
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Describe the clam's foot.
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What is the mantle cavity?
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How do clams breathe?
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What helps direct water over the gills?
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Where are the palps found and what is their function?
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Describe the movement of food through the current siphon in the digestive system of the clam.
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Where is the clam's heart located?
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Study Notes
Clam Anatomy and Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Bivalva
Body Structure
- Bivalves possess two shell halves (valves) connected by a hinge.
- Coelomate body plan with two openings for digestive and waste systems.
Movement
- Clams use a muscular foot for burrowing and attachment to substrates.
Cephalization
- No cephalization present; clams lack a defined head.
Siphons Function
- Two siphons (incurrent and excurrent) aid in water flow for feeding and waste removal.
- Incurrent siphon brings water in, while excurrent siphon expels water and waste.
Visceral Mass and Shell
- Body organs are contained in the visceral mass, protected by the mantle which secretes the shell.
Circulatory System
- Clams have an open circulatory system.
Feeding Mechanism
- Known as "filter feeders," clams trap plankton from water to direct into their digestive tract.
Shell Anatomy
- The umbo is the oldest part of the clam’s shell found at the hinge.
- Shell rings indicate age; more rings correspond to older clams.
Shell Mobility
- Anterior and posterior adductor muscles allow the clam to open and close its shell.
Incurrent Siphon Purpose
- Main function is to draw in water for feeding.
Foot Shape and Function
- The foot is hatchet-shaped and used for locomotion by anchoring and burrowing.
Mother of Pearl
- The inner layer, known for creating pearls, forms around irritants like grains of sand.
Shell Structure
- The lining is soft and smooth, providing protection for the internal organs.
Dorsal Edge Projections
- Tooth-like projections on the shell’s edge ensure proper alignment and tight sealing when the shell closes.
Mantle Location and Function
- Located midway along the anterior shell surface; secretes the shell and assists in respiration.
Mantle Cavity
- The area inside the mantle allowing water flow, housing gills, and containing the visceral mass.
Respiratory System
- Clams respire using two pairs of feathery gills for gas exchange, absorbing oxygen from water.
Food Processing Pathway
- Food is processed through a sequence: swallowed through siphon, passes over gills, into mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestine, and exits via the anus through the excurrent siphon.
Palps Function
- Flap-like structures located anterior to gills guide food into the mouth.
Heart Location
- The clam's heart is situated near the hinge, contributing to its circulatory system.
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Description
Test your knowledge on clam dissection with these flashcards. This quiz covers essential information such as taxonomy, body structure, movement, and the defining features of bivalves. Perfect for students studying marine biology or mollusks.