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Published byNathaniel Smith Modified over 9 years ago
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PLATYHELMINTHES
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Characteristics Flatworms Class Trematoda: Tapeworms Class Cestoda: Flukes Class Turbellaria: Planarians Bilateral symmetry Many are parasites Size 1mm to 1 M
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Anatomy Long narrow body No legs Acoelomates Epidermis cells make up “skin” No circulatory system
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Anatomy Takes in oxygen but no formal respiratory system First phylum with muscles No skeleton Simplest organisms with a brain Two simple nerve cords and two brains are small bundles of nerves
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Feeding Planarians are scavengers Tapeworms and flukes are all parasites Flatworms feed through tube-like mouth. Digestive juices flow out to start digestion, worm sucks up partially digested food
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Reproduction Asexual reproduction: Regeneration (like in planarians) Sexual Reproduction: Flatworms are hermaphrodites Produce both eggs and sperm. Exchange sperm with other worms
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Habitat Free-living: Ocean Freshwater Moist soil Parasites: On or in host organism What are some biotic and abiotic factors?
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Adaptations Parasites live off host organism, but rarely kill the host – Why? Adults produce a lot of eggs and sperm Liver flukes have multiple hosts. Why do you think this is advantageous? Do you eat sushi?
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