Mollusks Quade, Peyton

Description Of invertebrate animals molluscs are the second largest phylum. The three universal features of molluscs today are a mantle with cavity for breathing and excretion, a radula, and a nervous system.

Symmetry Mollusks have bilateral symmetry Mollusks have 3 germ layers They have a Protostome Embryological Development Segmentation is Absent

Diet Molluscs are classified as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. Their diet is based on location and what food is available to them. They use radula which is tiny teeth used for scraping tiny particles off of the surface

Circulation Diffusion occurs through the moist skin of the mollusks. A mollusk has a heart, blood, and blood vessels. Oxygen and nutrients are carried to all parts of a mollusk's body by a circulatory system.

Excretion Mollusks excrete through the Anus and another form of excrete for mollusks is cellular metabolism which comes out as ammonia Mollusks are Nephridia meaning they either produce either ammonia or uric acid as a waste product.

Nervous system Mollusks do not have the traditional sense of a brain, they instead have sensory nerve cords and ganglia in important parts of the body.

Muscular System Most soft body animals like mollusks have a hydrostatic skeleton which is made of longitudinal and circular muscles that propel the animal forward. Other mollusks use a “foot” the act of the food depends on the animal.

Reproduction Most Mollusks reproduce sexually.

Respiration Mollusks use gills as a form of respiration as well as filters for foods, though it is known that most mollusk species only use their gills for breathing. Gill Definition: by which oxygen is extracted from water flowing over surfaces within or attached to the walls of the pharynx.