Sea Cucumber Biology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which class is the sea cucumber?

Class echinodermata

Class holothuroidea (correct)

Class asteroidea

Class cephalopoda

What is the purpose of the sea cucumber's tentacles?

To trap the food

Does the sea cucumber rest on a particular side?

True

The tube feet of the sea cucumber are called?

Podia Signup and view all the answers

Are the podia arranged in ambulacral grooves?

True Signup and view all the answers

Are the podia grooves suckered or papilliform?

Suckered Signup and view all the answers

Do you find any skin gills?

False Signup and view all the answers

Does the animal have a bard test?

False Signup and view all the answers

How many rectal muscles does the cucumber have?

5 Signup and view all the answers

The phylum echinoderm is similar to the chordates by?

Their mesodermal skeleton, the formation of the coelom as outpockets of the archenteron, deuterostome, and radial indeterminate cleavage Signup and view all the answers

The starfish is a class?

Asteroidea Signup and view all the answers

Four characteristics of class asteroidea:

1.) Star shaped body; 2.) Arms are continuous and not distinct from central disk; 3.) Ambulacral grooves on the side of each arm; 4.) Tube feet bearing suckers Signup and view all the answers

Four characteristics of class Holothuroides:

1.) Soft body animals with a flexible body wall; 2.) Long, wormlike form; 3.) Tentacles around the mouth; 4.) Five or more tube feet Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sea Cucumber Overview

Belongs to the class Holothuroidea within the phylum Echinodermata.
Utilizes tentacles to trap food, aiding in its feeding process.

Anatomy and Physiology

Sea cucumbers have a distinct resting posture, lying on one side.
Tube feet, known as podia, are critical for movement.
Podia are organized in ambulacral grooves along the body.
The podia feature suckered surfaces, allowing for better grip and movement.

Additional Characteristics

Lack skin gills, a unique trait compared to some other echinoderms.
Do not possess a rigid test (shell), resulting in a more flexible body structure.
Contains five rectal muscles, which play a role in excretion and support.

Relation to Other Classes

Shares similarities with chordates through features like:
- Mesodermal skeleton
- Coelom formation as outpockets of the archenteron
- Characteristics of deuterostomes
- Radial and indeterminate cleavage during development.

Comparison with Other Echinoderms

Starfish, classified as Asteroidea, exhibit:
- Star-shaped bodies with arms that seamlessly connect to the central disk.
- Presence of ambulacral grooves that run along each arm.
- Tube feet equipped with suckers for locomotion.

Class Holothuroides Specifics

Characterized by soft, flexible bodies that can adapt to their environment.
Typically have elongated, worm-like forms which aid in burrowing and hiding.
Possess tentacles surrounding the mouth for feeding purposes.
Feature five or more tube feet utilized for movement and balance.

Description

Test your knowledge about sea cucumbers with our flashcards! This quiz covers various aspects of their biology, including their classification, physical characteristics, and feeding methods. Perfect for marine biology enthusiasts and students.