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INTERESTING FACTS
Some sea cucumbers have the ability to bring all of their internal mass out of their body to scare away predators. Sea stars are able to regenerate their arms when bitten by a preditor and in some case...
View ArticleIMPORTANT VOCABULARY
View this link to read some interesting vocabulary about echinoderms: Once link has appeared, click on MOLLUSKS VOCAB ONLY (it is actually echinoderms...
View ArticleCONNECTIONS TO OTHER PHYLA
Echinodermata is a very unique phyla in that its organisms live in marine habitats only. Organisms belonging to crustecea, a subphylum of arthropoda, also live in water only, but can be found in fresh...
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DIGESTION
When an echinoderm ingests food, the first step on the path it takes is the mouth, which is on the bottom of the organism. After the mouth, the food travels through the esophagus and into one of the...
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HABITAT AND ADAPTATIONS
Echinoderms live in marine habitats, although they can occasionally survive being washed up and dried on shore. Within marine habitats, Echinoderms can survive in a wide variety of places. Sea Stars...
View ArticleFEEDING
Echinoderms are heterotrophs and have several methods of feeding. Some are carnivores while others are herbivores. Carnivores use their tube feet to pry open the shells of bivalve mollusks such as...
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RESPIRATION
Echinoderms, not unlike many other animals, have to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen. In most echinoderms the outer tissue of the tube feet creates the main surface for respiration. In other...
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INTERNAL TRANSPORT AND CIRCULATION
The task of internal transport relys on many different systems in the echinoderms. Gas exchange (respiration) and the elimination of wastes is taken care of by skin gills and tube feet. Tube feet are...
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RESPONSE AND MOVEMENT
Echinoderms have a very uncomplicated nervous system. Most species have a nerve ring that surrounds the mouth with radial nerves that connect the central ring to other parts of the body. Some...
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REPRODUCTION
All echinoderms are capable of sexual and asexual reproduction. Most are ethier male or female, but in some cases could be hermaphodites. Fertilization takes place externally, by both males and females...
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EXCRETION
Nearly all echinoderms release their solid wastes through the anus. It will then be released in the form of feces, except with the organism brittle stars, because they do no require an anus and thus...
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GENERAL ANATOMY
Echinoderms have radial symmetry, which means they are divided into 5 equal sections, radiating from a central point. In each segment, there is an identical set of internal organs. The closest thing to...
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INTRODUCTION
The name echinoderm literally means "spiny skin." Echinoderms are characterized by their pentaradial symmetry, internal skeletons, a water vascular system, and tube feet. The phylum Echinodermata is...
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