Biology 11 Mr.

Mirani

Characteristics of Cnidarians
About 9000 species of Cnidaria
Most cnidarians are marine, with a few fresh water

species Have tissues but not organs Cnidarians are carnivores and capture their food

Examples of Cnidaria
Hydra
Jellyfish Sea Anemone Coral Portuguese Man-of-War

Body Plan of Cnidaria

Cnidarians only develop 2 of the 3 tissue layers

(endoderm and ectoderm) A cnidarians body is a two-layered sac with a central digestive compartment (gastrovascular cavity) that digests food and circulates nutrients. A cnidarian has only a single body opening which functions as the mouth and the anus.

Body Forms of Cnidaria

Cnidarians exhibit two body forms: Polyp
Tubular shaped Usually sessile Solitary or colonial Mouth is surrounded by tentacles that point upward Examples: hydra and sea anemone

Body Forms of Cnidaria

Medusa Umbrella shaped Free floating Mouth is pointing downward Tentacles dangle from the oral surface and often trail behind the organism. Example: jellyfish and Portuguese Man-of-War

Cnidocytes and Nematocysts

Cnidocytes are located on the tentacles and sometimes on

the body surface. Cnidocytes are specialized structures for food capture and self-defense. Each cnidocyte contains a harpoon-like nematocyst. Nematocysts are fluid-filled capsules which contain a long, spirally coiled hollow thread. When the trigger of the cnidocyte is touched, the nematocyst is discharged. Some nematocysts trap prey or predators; some have spines to penetrate and inject paralyzing toxins.

Organization of Tissue
Nerve cells are organized into nets to coordinate

muscle contraction. Lack blood vessels. No respiratory system. No excretory system.

Nerve Net
Nerve cells located below the epidermis near the

mesoglea interconnect and form a nerve net. The nerve net coordinates movement. Cnidarians have no brain.

Reproduction in Cnidaria
Cnidarians can

reproduce asexually by budding Sexually by sperm and egg

Classes of Cnidaria
The phylum Cnidaria is divided into three major classes: Hydrozoa Scyphozoa Anthozoa

Class Hydrozoa The Hydroids

Example: hydra and

Portuguese Man-of-War Most are marine, colonial forms Few are freshwater Both polyp and medusa stages in species

Class Scyphozoa The Jellyfish

Example: jellies, sea

wasps, and sea nettle All are marine Polyp stage is reduced Free swimming Medusa up to 7 meters in diameter Separate male and female individuals

Class Anthozoa

Example: sea anemone and corals All marine Medusa completely absent Sessile Many colonial, Some solitary Most corals live in shallow waters; accumulation of their calciumcarbonate remains builds reefs. Sea anemones have a thick, heavy body which supports a mouth surrounded by hollow tentacles. Sea anemones feed on invertebrates and fish.