Questions and Answers
What classification does Phylum Platyhelminthes belong to?
What is a defining characteristic of Class Turbellaria?
Paraphyletic
What are rhabdites used for?
All organisms in Class Turbellaria are free-living.
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What is the difference between endolecithal and ectolecithal egg cells?
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Which of the following is NOT an example of Class Turbellaria?
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What type of reproduction occurs in FW planarians?
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What is a characteristic of the way sexual reproduction occurs in Class Turbellaria?
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Match the following examples with their characteristics:
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Study Notes
Phylum Platyhelminthes - Class Turbellaria Overview
- Class Turbellaria is paraphyletic and has been subdivided into various classes.
- Primarily consists of free-living organisms with a simplified life cycle.
- Produces rhabdites, rod-like structures that expand in water to form a protective mucus sheath.
- Rhabdites aid in locomotion via ciliary gliding, adhesion to surfaces, and defense against predators.
Reproductive Strategies
- Demonstrates both asexual and sexual reproduction.
- Asexual reproduction occurs through fission (dividing into two) and fragmentation (regeneration from segments).
- Sexual reproduction involves lining up genital pores for sperm transfer; self-fertilization is not allowed.
- Fertilized eggs are packaged with yolk from a yolk gland, resulting in ectolecithal eggs that are attached to substrates for development.
Egg Cell Characteristics
- Endolecithal eggs contain yolk naturally, providing nutrition to the developing embryo.
- Ectolecithal eggs do not contain yolk initially; instead, yolk is added externally by glands, representing a derived trait.
Examples of Class Turbellaria
- Common examples include freshwater planarians, marine flatworms, and terrestrial planarians.
- Pink Planarian, native to Devil's Icebox cave, is a specific example of a freshwater planarian.
- Penis fencing behavior exhibited in the genus Pseudobiceros, highlighting unique reproductive strategies within Turbellaria.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of Class Turbellaria within Phylum Platyhelminthes. This quiz covers their unique characteristics, reproductive strategies, and egg cell types. Test your knowledge on free-living organisms, their life cycles, and adaptations.
