Ctenophores Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is another name for ctenophores, and what phylum do they belong to?

Ctenophores or comb jellies; phylum Ctenophora.

What shape are comb jellies?

Spherical or oval.

How are comb jellies different from jellyfish?

They lack nematocysts and do not sting.

What is the habitat of ctenophores?

All species are marine. Signup and view all the answers

How do comb jellies move?

Using ctenes or comb plates made of cilia. Signup and view all the answers

How many rows do the comb plates of comb jellies have?

8 rows. Signup and view all the answers

Are comb jellies good swimmers?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the symmetry of comb jellies, and what level of organization are they on?

Biradially symmetrical; tissue level of organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the tissue structure of comb jellies composed of?

Epidermis, mesoglea, and gastrodermis. Signup and view all the answers

Where are the myoepithelial cells of comb jellies located?

In the inner cellular layer of the epidermal bilayer. Signup and view all the answers

How many tentacles do comb jellies have, and where are they kept?

Most species have two tentacles, attached to a tentacle sheath. Signup and view all the answers

Do comb jellies have tentacle sheaths?

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the threadlike filaments of comb jellies called, and where are they located?

Tentilla, extending from each tentacle. Signup and view all the answers

What are glue cells, and what is their function?

Collocytes are located on the tentacle, used for catching and holding zooplankton. Signup and view all the answers

How do comb jellies feed?

They wipe their tentacles against the mouth and ingest food. Signup and view all the answers

What are collocytes?

Glue cells that are used once and then replaced. Signup and view all the answers

How do comb jellies typically swim?

With their oral end forwards. Signup and view all the answers

Do comb jellies glow in the dark?

True Signup and view all the answers

How do comb jellies reproduce, sexually or asexually, and are they monoecious or dioecious?

Typically reproduce sexually; most species are monoecious. Signup and view all the answers

What type of larva do comb jellies produce, and what shape are they?

Cydippid larvae, which are spherical to oval. Signup and view all the answers

Name two classes of comb jellies.

Class Tentaculata and Class Nuda. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Class Tentaculata and give an example.

Members have tentacles; for example, the sea gooseberry. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Class Nuda.

Members of this class do not have tentacles and have a very wide mouth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ctenophores Overview

Commonly known as comb jellies, ctenophores belong to the phylum Ctenophora.
Exhibit spherical or oval body shapes.
Unlike jellyfish, they lack nematocysts and do not sting.

Habitat and Movement

All ctenophores are marine organisms.
Utilize ctenes, or comb plates, for locomotion, composed of partially fused cilia.
Most species have their ctenes arranged in 8 rows.
Generally considered feeble swimmers; often found floating rather than actively swimming.

Symmetry and Tissue Structure

Display biradial symmetry and have a tissue level organization with minimal organ development.
Body wall consists of three layers: epidermis, mesoglea, and gastrodermis; thick mesoglea contains collagen fibers and muscle cells along with amoeboid cells.

Tentacles and Feeding Mechanics

Most species possess two tentacles, which are connected to a pouch known as a tentacle sheath allowing for retraction.
Tentilla, threadlike filaments on tentacles, assist in predation.
Collocytes, the glue cells on tentacles, aid in capturing zooplankton.
They feed by wiping tentacles against the mouth, with excess and indigestible particles expelled through anal pores and the mouth.

Reproductive Systems and Larvae

Primarily reproduce sexually; most species are monoecious, with external fertilization.
Produce cydippid larvae, characterized by a spherical to oval shape.

Classification of Ctenophores

Two main classes: Class Tentaculata and Class Nuda.
Class Tentaculata: Contains tentacles; example includes the sea gooseberry, capable of retracting tentacles into sheath.
Class Nuda: Lacks tentacles but features a wide mouth.

Bioluminescence

Many species exhibit luminescence, emitting flashes of light at night utilizing specialized light-producing cells called photocytes.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge about ctenophores with these flashcards. Learn about their phylum, shapes, and differences from jellyfish. Perfect for biology students looking to understand these fascinating marine creatures.