Questions and Answers
In what phylum are starfish found?
Echinoderm
What is the habitat for starfish?
Marine - Tidal Zone, Ocean Floor, and Coral Reefs
On what do starfish feed?
Bivalves - Mussels, Clams, Scallops, and Oysters
What system in their body helps them catch & hold their food?
Signup and view all the answers
What does echinoderm mean in Greek?
Signup and view all the answers
Name 2 classes of echinoderms & a member of each class.
Signup and view all the answers
What type of symmetry did your starfish have?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the upper surface of the starfish called?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the lower surface of the starfish called?
Signup and view all the answers
On which surface are these parts of a starfish visible? Mouth - ____, Madreporite - ____, Suckers - ____, Oral Spines - ____, Eyespots - ____, Ambulacral Groove - ____
Signup and view all the answers
In your own words, trace the path water takes through the water vascular system.
Signup and view all the answers
What part of the tube foot creates suction to pen clams whenever the starfish feeds?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do the gonads sometimes appear larger?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of skeleton, endoskeleton or exoskeleton, does the seastar have?
Signup and view all the answers
What bony plates make up its skeleton?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of the pyloric caeca?
Signup and view all the answers
Where is the stomach of a starfish located? What can the starfish do with its stomach when feeding on clams and oysters?
Signup and view all the answers
Name the kingdom, phylum, and class for the starfish you dissected.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Starfish Overview
- Starfish belong to the phylum Echinoderm, characterized by their spiny skin.
- Echinoderm in Greek means "spiny skin," a reference to the ossicles that give them a spiny texture.
Habitat and Symmetry
- Starfish inhabit marine environments, including tidal zones, ocean floors, and coral reefs.
- They exhibit radial symmetry, which allows them to respond to environmental stimuli from all directions.
Diet and Feeding Mechanism
- Starfish primarily feed on bivalves such as mussels, clams, scallops, and oysters.
- Their water vascular system enables them to catch and hold their food, facilitating movement and feeding.
- The ampulla in the tube foot generates suction, essential for opening clams during feeding.
Anatomy and Organ Systems
- The upper surface of a starfish is referred to as aboral (dorsal), while the lower surface is called oral (ventral).
- Distinct anatomical features include:
- Mouth: Located on the oral surface
- Madreporite: Found on the aboral surface
- Suckers and Oral Spines: Located on the oral surface
- Eyespots: Present on the aboral surface
- Ambulacral Groove: Found on the oral surface
Reproductive and Digestive Systems
- Gonads enlarge when the starfish is mature and ready to reproduce.
- The pyloric caeca play a crucial role in digestion.
- A starfish's stomach is located in the central disc, capable of protruding to digest prey like clams and oysters externally.
Skeletal Structure
- Starfish possess an endoskeleton, made up of small bony plates called ossicles.
- This structure provides support and protection to their bodies.
Classification
- Starfish are classified under the following:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Echinodermata
- Class: Asteroidea (includes true sea stars and sun stars).
Water Vascular System Pathway
- The water vascular system functions by routing water from the madreporite to the stone canal, then to the ring canal, down each arm, and into the tube feet.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz focuses on starfish, exploring their classification, habitat, diet, and unique biological systems. Each flashcard presents a question about different aspects of starfish, helping you to learn essential information in an engaging way.
