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?
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How do comb jellies move?
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How many rows do the comb plates of comb jellies have?
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Are comb jellies good swimmers?
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What is the symmetry of comb jellies, and what level of organization are they on?
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What is the tissue structure of comb jellies composed of?
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Where are the myoepithelial cells of comb jellies located?
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How many tentacles do comb jellies have, and where are they kept?
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Do comb jellies have tentacle sheaths?
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What are the threadlike filaments of comb jellies called, and where are they located?
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What are glue cells, and what is their function?
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How do comb jellies feed?
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What are collocytes?
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How do comb jellies typically swim?
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Do comb jellies glow in the dark?
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How do comb jellies reproduce, sexually or asexually, and are they monoecious or dioecious?
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What type of larva do comb jellies produce, and what shape are they?
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Name two classes of comb jellies.
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Describe Class Tentaculata and give an example.
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Describe Class Nuda.
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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.
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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.