Echinoderm Vocabulary Quiz

Echinoderm Vocabulary

• Oral Surface: The ventral side of echinoderms where the mouth is situated.
• Aboral Surface: The dorsal side of echinoderms, opposite the oral surface.
• Pentaradial Symmetry: A distinct feature of echinoderms, characterized by body parts arranged along five symmetrical rays; examples include sea stars and sea urchins.
• Bipinnaria: An early larval stage in the development of echinoderms.
• Ossicle: Small, calcified structures that form part of the internal skeleton in echinoderms.
• Water Vascular System: A hydraulic network of water-filled canals in echinoderms that operates tube feet.
• Tube Foot: Protrusions located on the oral face of sea stars, functioning through the water vascular system; key for locomotion and obtaining food.
• Ampulla: A bulb-like structure connected to tube feet that helps regulate their movement.
• Madreporite: A porous plate regulating seawater entry into the echinoderm's water vascular system.
• Stone Canal: A tube with calcareous deposits connecting the madreporite to the ring canal of the water vascular system.
• Ring Canal: A circular vessel encircling the esophagus, part of the water vascular system.
• Pedicellaria: Tiny, claw-like structures found on starfish and sea urchins, serving defensive and cleaning functions.
• Skin Gills: Extensions aiding in gas exchange and excretion of nitrogenous wastes.
• Autotomy: A defense mechanism where an animal can shed part of its body to escape predators, as seen in some echinoderms.
• Regeneration: The biological process allowing echinoderms to regrow lost parts, contributing to their resilience.
• Cardiac Stomach: The lower stomach in starfish, which can be ejected during feeding to digest food externally.
• Pyloric Stomach: The upper stomach in starfish, connected to digestive glands and responsible for enzyme-assisted food breakdown.
• Nerve Ring: A circular band of nervous tissue surrounding the pharynx, facilitating coordination in echinoderms.
• Radial Nerve: A nerve extending down each arm of a starfish, playing a role in sensory and motor functions.

Test your knowledge of key echinoderm vocabulary with this quiz! Explore terms related to their anatomy, symmetry, and unique systems like the water vascular system. Ideal for students studying marine biology or interested in echinoderm characteristics.