Characteristics of Phylum Cnidaria Coral, Anemones, Sea Fans, and Jellyfish Chapter 5 Pages 5-33 & 5-34

Characteristics of Phylum Cnidaria Coral, Anemones, Sea Fans, and Jellyfish Chapter 5 Pages 5-33 & 5-34

Characteristics of Phylum Cnidaria Coral, Anemones, Sea Fans, and Jellyfish Chapter 5 Pages 5-33 & 5-34

Characteristics of Phylum Cnidaria Coral, Anemones, Sea Fans, and Jellyfish Chapter 5 Pages 5-33 & 5-34

A Nematocyst…You have to see it to believe it. Nematocysts firing- smarter every day 1 Minute computer animation of Nematocyst firing.

Members of Phylum Cnidaria Phylum Cnidaria includes soft and hard corals, sea anemones, hydroids, sea fans, jelly fish, and siphonophores. Coral, Anemones, Sea Fans, and Jellyfish Chapter 5 Pages 5-33 & 5-34

Characteristics of Phylum Cnidaria Anatomical characteristics include: They are radially symmetrical – symmetry around a central point. They have a cup or bag-like body made of two layers of cells, with tentacles around the rim. They have a mouth that opens into the gastro- vascular cavity (a space in the middle of their body used for digestion/reproduction). Coral, Anemones, Sea Fans, and Jellyfish Chapter 5 Pages 5-33 & 5-34

Characteristics of Phylum Cnidaria They are structurally uncomplicated, with simple nerves,muscle nets, and light receptors. Colonial organisms are called polyps. Individuals are free-floating and are called medusae. All share the ability to defend themselves with nematocysts. These stinging structures are composed of special cells called cnidocytes. Coral, Anemones, Sea Fans, and Jellyfish Chapter 5 Pages 5-33 & 5-34