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• 1) Well defined phylum of ~10,000, mostly marine, predatory species

• 2) This diverse phylum is united by a unique and complex cell type:

  • a) a cnidocyte is a cell that bears two important organelles:

    • nematocyst (capsule with an inverted coiled tube & operculum)

    • cnidocil (sensory cilium= "hair trigger")

  • b) nematocysts come in many forms (grappling, penetrating, sticky)

  • c) nematocysts aid in feeding (mainly); also defense & aggression

• 3) Two alternate body forms: medusae (pelagic) & polyp (benthic)

• 4) The basic body plan of all cnidarians is similar:

  • a) radially symmetrical

  • b) the gut has one opening (mouth only, no anus)

  • c) hollow tentacles surround the end bearing the mouth

  • d) the gastric cavity has associated canals (=gastrovascular cavity)

  • e) the body wall has three, well-defined layers

• 5) Cnidarians exhibit a true tissue level of organization (groups of differentiated cells working together for a single function)

  • a) ectodermis (outer) & endodermis (inner) are true tissues

  • b) the middle layer (mesoglea) is mostly non-cellular & not a true tissue layer, so cnidarians are diploblastic

• 6) Rather few cell types are present; most occur in ecto- & endoderm:

  • a) epithilio-muscular cells (cells with contractile elements in base)

  • b) interstitial cells (totipotent cells)

  • c) cnidocytes

  • d) receptor cells (often have sensory cilium)

  • e) nerve cells (form loosely organized net); no contractile elements

  • f) gland cells (mainly in endodermis); no contractile elements

  • g) moeboid cells (mobile cells in mesoglea; produced by ectoderm)

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