Sponge (Porifera)
Comparative Structure and Functions:
Sponges are very basic organisms with no nervous, digestive, or circulatory system. These organisms have small skeletal elements called spicules. The sponges eat by siphoning water through their bodies and catching material on the collar which is then absorbed by the sponge.
Taxonomy:
Sponges in the phyla Porifera are sessile animals that live attached to hard rocky surfaces, shell, or submerged objects. There are 3 subgroups of Porifera: glass sponges, demosponges, and calcareous sponges. Glass sponges have a skeleton that consists of fragile, glass-like spicules that are made of silica. Demosponges are vibrantly colored and can grow to be the largest of all of the sponges. This sponge accounts for 90% of the living sponge species. The calcareous sponge is the only group of sponge that have spicules that are made of calcium carbonate.
Ecology:
Sponges are very important to their environment. The irregular shape and relative lack of danger offered by sponges provides a safe home for many aquatic creatures. Sponges also have a symbiotic relationship with many photosynthetic organisms, such as algae and protists. These organisms provide the sponge food and oxygen, while the sponge provides the organisms a protected home
Observations:
The Sponge has many tube like pores and a rough skin. They had almost hair like things coming from the actual body and were very small.
Comparative Structure and Functions:
Sponges are very basic organisms with no nervous, digestive, or circulatory system. These organisms have small skeletal elements called spicules. The sponges eat by siphoning water through their bodies and catching material on the collar which is then absorbed by the sponge.
Taxonomy:
Sponges in the phyla Porifera are sessile animals that live attached to hard rocky surfaces, shell, or submerged objects. There are 3 subgroups of Porifera: glass sponges, demosponges, and calcareous sponges. Glass sponges have a skeleton that consists of fragile, glass-like spicules that are made of silica. Demosponges are vibrantly colored and can grow to be the largest of all of the sponges. This sponge accounts for 90% of the living sponge species. The calcareous sponge is the only group of sponge that have spicules that are made of calcium carbonate.
Ecology:
Sponges are very important to their environment. The irregular shape and relative lack of danger offered by sponges provides a safe home for many aquatic creatures. Sponges also have a symbiotic relationship with many photosynthetic organisms, such as algae and protists. These organisms provide the sponge food and oxygen, while the sponge provides the organisms a protected home
Observations:
The Sponge has many tube like pores and a rough skin. They had almost hair like things coming from the actual body and were very small.
Jellyfish (Cnidarian)
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The Jellyfish has two tissue layers, the epidermis and the inner gastrodermis. Many jellyfish have stinging tentacles that trap and kill prey so that it can be brought to the mouth without damaging the tissue. The mouth is at the center of the jellyfish. The jellyfish is made up of about 95% water and has clear delicate tissue.
Taxonomy:
Cnidarians are soft-bodied, carnivorous animals that have stinging tentacles arranged in circles around their mouths. They are the simplest animals to have body symmetry and specialized tissues. Cnidarians include, jellyfishes, hydras and their relatives, and sea anemones and corals. Cnidarians typically have a life cycle that includes two different stages, a polyp and a medusa. Cnidarians eat prey by paralyzing their prey and then pulling them in into their cardiovascular cavity, which is a digestive chamber with one opening. They have a nerve net, which is a loosely connected network of nerve cells that can detect stimuli such as touch. Cnidarians have a hydro static skeleton which enable them to move through the water. Most Cnidarians have external fertilization and separate sexes. The jellyfish live primarily as medusas and reproduce sexually. Hydras and their relatives are grouped together in a colony and different polyps perform different tasks. Hydras do not have a medusa stage and produce asexually by budding or sexually by producing eggs and sperm in the body wall. Sea Anemones and Corals, sea anemones are solitary polyps while coral grow together in large numbers. They can reproduce sexually but some can reproduce asexually.
Ecology:
Corals face many threats, mostly caused by humans. Firstly, humans are directly damaging corals. Human divers can break coral, or activity like logging, farming, or mining can kick up silt and insecticides. Secondly, humans can indirectly affect corals. Rising temperatures in the ocean are causing bleaching of corals, killing many reefs. Over fishing also upsets the balance of the oceans around these corals. In conclusion, unless we do something now, cnidarians may lose valuable members of their phyla.
Observations:
The jellyfish has clear soft tissue and lots of tentacles around the edge of the body. It has a spot of darker tissue in the center where the mouth is. The tissue of the jellyfish is very soft and not strong, it is easy to move and bend.
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The Jellyfish has two tissue layers, the epidermis and the inner gastrodermis. Many jellyfish have stinging tentacles that trap and kill prey so that it can be brought to the mouth without damaging the tissue. The mouth is at the center of the jellyfish. The jellyfish is made up of about 95% water and has clear delicate tissue.
Taxonomy:
Cnidarians are soft-bodied, carnivorous animals that have stinging tentacles arranged in circles around their mouths. They are the simplest animals to have body symmetry and specialized tissues. Cnidarians include, jellyfishes, hydras and their relatives, and sea anemones and corals. Cnidarians typically have a life cycle that includes two different stages, a polyp and a medusa. Cnidarians eat prey by paralyzing their prey and then pulling them in into their cardiovascular cavity, which is a digestive chamber with one opening. They have a nerve net, which is a loosely connected network of nerve cells that can detect stimuli such as touch. Cnidarians have a hydro static skeleton which enable them to move through the water. Most Cnidarians have external fertilization and separate sexes. The jellyfish live primarily as medusas and reproduce sexually. Hydras and their relatives are grouped together in a colony and different polyps perform different tasks. Hydras do not have a medusa stage and produce asexually by budding or sexually by producing eggs and sperm in the body wall. Sea Anemones and Corals, sea anemones are solitary polyps while coral grow together in large numbers. They can reproduce sexually but some can reproduce asexually.
Ecology:
Corals face many threats, mostly caused by humans. Firstly, humans are directly damaging corals. Human divers can break coral, or activity like logging, farming, or mining can kick up silt and insecticides. Secondly, humans can indirectly affect corals. Rising temperatures in the ocean are causing bleaching of corals, killing many reefs. Over fishing also upsets the balance of the oceans around these corals. In conclusion, unless we do something now, cnidarians may lose valuable members of their phyla.
Observations:
The jellyfish has clear soft tissue and lots of tentacles around the edge of the body. It has a spot of darker tissue in the center where the mouth is. The tissue of the jellyfish is very soft and not strong, it is easy to move and bend.
Squid (Mollusca)
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The squid has a complex nervous system and a digestive system. It breaths through gills instead of respiration. The squid has bilateral symmetry and kidneys. The squid is much more advanced then the previous Jellyfish.
Taxonomy:
Mollusks are soft-bodied animals that usually have an internal or external shell. Many mollusks have a free swimming larval stage called a trochophore. The body of a mollusk has four major parts , the foot, the mantle, the shell, and the visceral mass. There are three main subclasses of mollusk, the Gastropods, the bivalves, and the cephalopods. The gastropods are shell-less or single shelled mollusks that move by using a muscular foot located on the ventral side. Members of the bivalve class have two shells that are held together by one or two powerful muscles. Cephalopods are typically soft bodied mollusks in which the head is attached to the foot. The foot is divided into tentacles or arms
Ecology:
Mollusks play a vital role in ocean ecology. They are home to many symbiotic algae, and are an important staple in the diet of sea creatures and humans alike. They also filter out algae from the surrounding water, “cleaning” it. But mollusks serve a more important function to humans. As mentioned above, mollusks suck up ocean water to eat. If there are dangerous chemicals in the water, scientists can tell by checking the tissue of mollusks.
Observations:
The squid has a rough skin and an oblong shaped body. It has no spine or bones and only has small bits of cartilage. The only hard part of the squid was its beak, the only restriction for where a squid can go is the size of its beak because the rest of the body is very flexible and squishy.
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The squid has a complex nervous system and a digestive system. It breaths through gills instead of respiration. The squid has bilateral symmetry and kidneys. The squid is much more advanced then the previous Jellyfish.
Taxonomy:
Mollusks are soft-bodied animals that usually have an internal or external shell. Many mollusks have a free swimming larval stage called a trochophore. The body of a mollusk has four major parts , the foot, the mantle, the shell, and the visceral mass. There are three main subclasses of mollusk, the Gastropods, the bivalves, and the cephalopods. The gastropods are shell-less or single shelled mollusks that move by using a muscular foot located on the ventral side. Members of the bivalve class have two shells that are held together by one or two powerful muscles. Cephalopods are typically soft bodied mollusks in which the head is attached to the foot. The foot is divided into tentacles or arms
Ecology:
Mollusks play a vital role in ocean ecology. They are home to many symbiotic algae, and are an important staple in the diet of sea creatures and humans alike. They also filter out algae from the surrounding water, “cleaning” it. But mollusks serve a more important function to humans. As mentioned above, mollusks suck up ocean water to eat. If there are dangerous chemicals in the water, scientists can tell by checking the tissue of mollusks.
Observations:
The squid has a rough skin and an oblong shaped body. It has no spine or bones and only has small bits of cartilage. The only hard part of the squid was its beak, the only restriction for where a squid can go is the size of its beak because the rest of the body is very flexible and squishy.
Worms (Annelids)
Comparative Structure an Functions:
Worms are more advanced the the previous organisms because they have segmentation, specialized cells and tissues, organs, and a digestive system. Organs allowed the worm to do specific functions that previous organisms could not. The one way digestive system was more effective than the other animals and is able to absorbs more nutrients.
Taxonomy:
Annelids are worms with segmented bodies. They have a true coelom that is lined with tissue derived from mesoderm. When eating food moves through the esophagus, being propelled by the pharynx. It then moves into the crop where it is stored, and after into the gizzard where it is ground into smaller pieces. Annelids have a closed circulatory system in which the blood is contained in blood vessels. Annelids often breathe through gills, but land-dwelling annelids breathe in air through their skin. Cellular waste is eliminated through the nephridia, which are excretory organs that filter fluid into the coelom. Some annelids are hermaphrodites and some have individual sexes but they rarely ever fertilize their own eggs. The subgroups of annelids are oligochaetes, polychaetes, and leeches. The oligochaetes are annelids that typically have streamlined bodies and relatively few setae compared to polychaetes. Most oligochaetes live in soil or freshwater. Polychaetes are marine annelids that have paired, paddlelike appendages tipped with setae. The leeches are usually external parasites that suck the blood and body fluids of their host.
Ecology:
Annelida play a massive role in the health of the earth’s soil. They burrow through soil, aerating it and mixing it. Without this crucial process, roots of plants would have a hard time surviving. When earthworms eat the soil, they also add bacteria that helps plant matter decompose. Earthworms also are food for a wide range of creatures, from badgers to birds. Underwater annelids have free-swimming larvae that are eaten by small fish and other plankton eaters. Whether directly or indirectly, annelids are an important part of the lives of almost all animals.
Observations:
The worm was a long tube like animal with no brain and simple organs. It had one long digestive system and only one entrance and exit. The skin was very slimy and it need to stay moist because the worm breathes through its skin.
Comparative Structure an Functions:
Worms are more advanced the the previous organisms because they have segmentation, specialized cells and tissues, organs, and a digestive system. Organs allowed the worm to do specific functions that previous organisms could not. The one way digestive system was more effective than the other animals and is able to absorbs more nutrients.
Taxonomy:
Annelids are worms with segmented bodies. They have a true coelom that is lined with tissue derived from mesoderm. When eating food moves through the esophagus, being propelled by the pharynx. It then moves into the crop where it is stored, and after into the gizzard where it is ground into smaller pieces. Annelids have a closed circulatory system in which the blood is contained in blood vessels. Annelids often breathe through gills, but land-dwelling annelids breathe in air through their skin. Cellular waste is eliminated through the nephridia, which are excretory organs that filter fluid into the coelom. Some annelids are hermaphrodites and some have individual sexes but they rarely ever fertilize their own eggs. The subgroups of annelids are oligochaetes, polychaetes, and leeches. The oligochaetes are annelids that typically have streamlined bodies and relatively few setae compared to polychaetes. Most oligochaetes live in soil or freshwater. Polychaetes are marine annelids that have paired, paddlelike appendages tipped with setae. The leeches are usually external parasites that suck the blood and body fluids of their host.
Ecology:
Annelida play a massive role in the health of the earth’s soil. They burrow through soil, aerating it and mixing it. Without this crucial process, roots of plants would have a hard time surviving. When earthworms eat the soil, they also add bacteria that helps plant matter decompose. Earthworms also are food for a wide range of creatures, from badgers to birds. Underwater annelids have free-swimming larvae that are eaten by small fish and other plankton eaters. Whether directly or indirectly, annelids are an important part of the lives of almost all animals.
Observations:
The worm was a long tube like animal with no brain and simple organs. It had one long digestive system and only one entrance and exit. The skin was very slimy and it need to stay moist because the worm breathes through its skin.
Grasshopper (Arthropoda)
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The grasshopper has evolved a hard exoskeleton that keeps it protected and gives it form. It also has an open circulatory system and spiracles for breathing. The grasshopper does have very advances eyes a antennae, and a complex nervous system. These factors make it more advanced than the previous organisms that we have dissected.
Taxonomy:
Arthropods have segmented bodies, a tough exoskeleton, and jointed appendages. The different subgroups of arthropods are crustaceans, spiders(and their relatives), and insects(and their relatives). Crustaceans have two pairs of antennae, two or three body sections, and chewing mouthparts called mandibles. Spiders and their relatives have mouthparts called chelicerae and two body sections, and nearly all have four pairs of walking legs. Insects and their relatives have a body divided into three parts(head, thorax, and abdomen) and three pairs of legs that are attached to the thorax.
Ecology:
Arthropods help tremendously with the land, and its plants. They spread pollens while looking for nectar from plants, and spread the plant life around.
Observations:
The grasshopper was much larger than I expected it to be. Compared to the size of its head it has very large eyes and antennae. All along the legs there were also little hairs that could help it detect things if they touche the hairs.
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The grasshopper has evolved a hard exoskeleton that keeps it protected and gives it form. It also has an open circulatory system and spiracles for breathing. The grasshopper does have very advances eyes a antennae, and a complex nervous system. These factors make it more advanced than the previous organisms that we have dissected.
Taxonomy:
Arthropods have segmented bodies, a tough exoskeleton, and jointed appendages. The different subgroups of arthropods are crustaceans, spiders(and their relatives), and insects(and their relatives). Crustaceans have two pairs of antennae, two or three body sections, and chewing mouthparts called mandibles. Spiders and their relatives have mouthparts called chelicerae and two body sections, and nearly all have four pairs of walking legs. Insects and their relatives have a body divided into three parts(head, thorax, and abdomen) and three pairs of legs that are attached to the thorax.
Ecology:
Arthropods help tremendously with the land, and its plants. They spread pollens while looking for nectar from plants, and spread the plant life around.
Observations:
The grasshopper was much larger than I expected it to be. Compared to the size of its head it has very large eyes and antennae. All along the legs there were also little hairs that could help it detect things if they touche the hairs.
Perch (Chordata)
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The Perch has bilateral symmetry and a coelom. The Perch also has an endoskeleton instead of an exoskeleton. The perch has sexual reproduction with male and female perches. The also have brains with spinal chords which gives them a faster and more advances nervous system compared to the previous organisms. The perch also has segmented muscles which allows them to move through the water.
Taxonomy:
Chordates are animals that have a dorsal hollow nerve cord, a notochord (A long supporting rod that runs through the body below the nerve cord), pharyngeal pouches(paired structures in the throat),and a tail extending out. The tail can be present any time during the life of the organism and may contain bone and muscle, mostly used for swimming. Most chordates are vertebrates, with a spine running the length of their body. The spine is usually part of an endoskeleton, and protects a spinal cord. The vertebrae contain living cells in them as well. There are two subphyla of chordates which are invertebrates. The subphyla are tunicates and lancelets. Although these creatures are missing a spine, they still contain the other traits of chordates. They are filter feeders, and live in the water.
Ecology:
Amphibians are quickly dwindling in population. Scientists are not sure what is causing this. It might be because amphibians are susceptible to environmental threats such as decreasing habitat, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, water pollution, fungal infections, introduced aquatic predators, and an increasing human population. However, there are efforts to help these creatures. Since the late 1990’s, a group of scientists have set up monitoring programs all over North America to help protect these animals. Hopefully they will be successful.
Observations:
The Perch has a tear drop shaped body and overlapping scales that allow it to move through the water with little drag. The scales were hard and small. The Perch had actually bones instead of just cartilage.
Comparative Structure and Functions:
The Perch has bilateral symmetry and a coelom. The Perch also has an endoskeleton instead of an exoskeleton. The perch has sexual reproduction with male and female perches. The also have brains with spinal chords which gives them a faster and more advances nervous system compared to the previous organisms. The perch also has segmented muscles which allows them to move through the water.
Taxonomy:
Chordates are animals that have a dorsal hollow nerve cord, a notochord (A long supporting rod that runs through the body below the nerve cord), pharyngeal pouches(paired structures in the throat),and a tail extending out. The tail can be present any time during the life of the organism and may contain bone and muscle, mostly used for swimming. Most chordates are vertebrates, with a spine running the length of their body. The spine is usually part of an endoskeleton, and protects a spinal cord. The vertebrae contain living cells in them as well. There are two subphyla of chordates which are invertebrates. The subphyla are tunicates and lancelets. Although these creatures are missing a spine, they still contain the other traits of chordates. They are filter feeders, and live in the water.
Ecology:
Amphibians are quickly dwindling in population. Scientists are not sure what is causing this. It might be because amphibians are susceptible to environmental threats such as decreasing habitat, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, water pollution, fungal infections, introduced aquatic predators, and an increasing human population. However, there are efforts to help these creatures. Since the late 1990’s, a group of scientists have set up monitoring programs all over North America to help protect these animals. Hopefully they will be successful.
Observations:
The Perch has a tear drop shaped body and overlapping scales that allow it to move through the water with little drag. The scales were hard and small. The Perch had actually bones instead of just cartilage.
Frog (Chordata)
Comparative structure and functions:
The Frog is in the same phylum as the perch, mammals and amphibians. The frog has a full organ and circulatory system. It also has an advanced nervous system and strong muscles to escape from predators. The frog starts its life as a tadpole living only in water and eventually it will grow arms and legs and is able to live on both land and water.
Taxonomy:
Chordates are animals that have a dorsal hollow nerve cord, a notochord (A long supporting rod that runs through the body below the nerve cord), pharyngeal pouches(paired structures in the throat),and a tail extending out. The tail can be present any time during the life of the organism and may contain bone and muscle, mostly used for swimming. Most chordates are vertebrates, with a spine running the length of their body. The spine is usually part of an endoskeleton, and protects a spinal cord. The vertebrae contain living cells in them as well. There are two subphyla of chordates which are invertebrates. The subphyla are tunicates and lancelets. Although these creatures are missing a spine, they still contain the other traits of chordates. They are filter feeders, and live in the water.
Ecology:
Amphibians are quickly dwindling in population. Scientists are not sure what is causing this. It might be because amphibians are susceptible to environmental threats such as decreasing habitat, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, water pollution, fungal infections, introduced aquatic predators, and an increasing human population. However, there are efforts to help these creatures. Since the late 1990’s, a group of scientists have set up monitoring programs all over North America to help protect these animals. Hopefully they will be successful.
(The Taxonomy and Ecology of the perch and the frog are both the same because they are within the same phylum.)
Observations:
The fog had very rough skin and long strong back legs. The legs allow the frog to jump long distances to avoid predators or to capture prey. Inside of the frogs mouth the tongue is folded in half and the frog is able to extend the tongue very quickly to capture prey.
Comparative structure and functions:
The Frog is in the same phylum as the perch, mammals and amphibians. The frog has a full organ and circulatory system. It also has an advanced nervous system and strong muscles to escape from predators. The frog starts its life as a tadpole living only in water and eventually it will grow arms and legs and is able to live on both land and water.
Taxonomy:
Chordates are animals that have a dorsal hollow nerve cord, a notochord (A long supporting rod that runs through the body below the nerve cord), pharyngeal pouches(paired structures in the throat),and a tail extending out. The tail can be present any time during the life of the organism and may contain bone and muscle, mostly used for swimming. Most chordates are vertebrates, with a spine running the length of their body. The spine is usually part of an endoskeleton, and protects a spinal cord. The vertebrae contain living cells in them as well. There are two subphyla of chordates which are invertebrates. The subphyla are tunicates and lancelets. Although these creatures are missing a spine, they still contain the other traits of chordates. They are filter feeders, and live in the water.
Ecology:
Amphibians are quickly dwindling in population. Scientists are not sure what is causing this. It might be because amphibians are susceptible to environmental threats such as decreasing habitat, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, water pollution, fungal infections, introduced aquatic predators, and an increasing human population. However, there are efforts to help these creatures. Since the late 1990’s, a group of scientists have set up monitoring programs all over North America to help protect these animals. Hopefully they will be successful.
(The Taxonomy and Ecology of the perch and the frog are both the same because they are within the same phylum.)
Observations:
The fog had very rough skin and long strong back legs. The legs allow the frog to jump long distances to avoid predators or to capture prey. Inside of the frogs mouth the tongue is folded in half and the frog is able to extend the tongue very quickly to capture prey.