General Characteristics of Invertebrates

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Questions and Answers

What is a defining characteristic of invertebrates?

Development of complex tissues and organs

Possession of a backbone

Presence of specialized organelles (correct)

Ability to reproduce exclusively sexually

Which nutrition type is not applicable to invertebrates?

Autotrophic

Photoautotrophic (correct)

Saprozoic

Heterotrophic

Invertebrates can reproduce asexually by which of the following methods?

Syngamy

Pollination

Conjugation

Fission (correct)

What role do some invertebrates play in biological systems?

They help in pollination Signup and view all the answers

What is a common harm caused by certain invertebrates?

They can serve as vectors for diseases Signup and view all the answers

How are invertebrates classified within the biological taxonomy?

As a single phylum, protozoa Signup and view all the answers

What type of movement do invertebrates typically achieve?

Through pseudopodia, flagella, or cilia Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT a characteristic of invertebrates?

Complex organ systems Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of cilia in protozoa?

To assist in locomotion Signup and view all the answers

Which type of pseudopodia is characterized by a single large expansion?

Lobopodia Signup and view all the answers

In which feeding type does protozoa directly absorb dissolved substances?

Saprozoic Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of food vacuoles in protozoa?

To digest and absorb nutrients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following categories of feeding describes organisms that can produce their own food through photosynthesis?

Autotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of ectoplasm in protozoa?

It appears more transparent under the microscope Signup and view all the answers

Which type of feeding allows protozoa to utilize more than one method of obtaining nutrients?

Mixotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What structural feature characterizes the axoneme of cilia?

It consists of 2-9 microtubules Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

General Characteristics of Invertebrates

Single-celled animals, some colonial, live in aquatic or terrestrial environments.
Most are microscopic.
Lack organs and tissues, but have specialized organelles.
Diverse feeding types: free-living, symbiotic, mutualistic, commensalistic, parasitic.
Movement via pseudopodia, flagella, or cilia.
Some have simple internal/external structures, others are naked.
Feeding types include autotrophic, heterotrophic, or saprozoic.
Reproduction: asexual (fission, budding), sexual (conjugation, syngamy).

Invertebrate Importance

Biological control agents.
Food source for some fish (shrimp, shellfish).
Pollinators (e.g., insects).
Produce beneficial substances (bees, silkworms).

Harms of Invertebrates

Disease vectors (malaria parasite, tapeworms, roundworms).
Damage to ships' surfaces.
Disease carriers (e.g., mosquitoes).

Protozoa Classification

Nucleus surrounded by a membrane, connecting internal components and cytoplasm.
Contains genetic material (DNA) on chromosomes within the nucleus.
Often includes one or more nucleoli.
Cytoplasm sometimes divided into ectoplasm and endoplasm.
Ectoplasm is more solid, contains bases of cilia/flagella.
Endoplasm is more granular, contains nucleus/organelles.

Protozoa Movement

Primary means of movement: cilia, flagella, pseudopodia.
Cilia are made of microtubules (axoneme) covered by a cell membrane.
Pseudopodia are temporary/semi-permanent extensions of protoplasm, common in amoebas. Four types (lopodia, filopodia, rhizopodia, axopodia) based on structure and shape.

Protozoa Feeding

Autotrophic or Heterotrophic, based on ability to synthesize organic components from inorganic materials or obtaining it from other organisms.
Food vacuoles contain food particles and liquid.
Vacuole shape varies depending on the organism and food size (flagellates/amoebas: food particle shapes; ciliates: spherical shapes.)

Protozoa Nutrition and Respiration

Autotrophic: photosynthetic organisms that produce their own food using chlorophyll.
Saprozoic: obtain nutrition through cellular “drinking” (pinocytosis), or direct transfer of dissolved substances (diffusion, facilitated transport, active transport).
Mixotrophic: can use both autotrophic and saprozoic nutrition methods, depending on the environment.
Respiration (breathing): Aerobic or anaerobic.

Protozoa Excretion

Remove water-soluble metabolic waste through diffusion across the cell membrane, or via contractile vacuoles.
Insoluble waste is expelled via food vacuoles or cytopyge.

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Description

Explore the diverse world of invertebrates through this quiz, which covers their unique characteristics, ecological importance, and potential harms. Understand their classifications and the various modes of reproduction they employ. Test your knowledge on the vital roles invertebrates play in ecosystems and their impact on human activities.