Question#1

In phylum porifera, we started out with a sponge that used filter feeding, with no brain, no body
wall layers, and couldn't move. The cnidaria could move and were predatory, but lacked a brain
and only had 2 body wall layers. The platyhelminthes gained eyes and a brain of sorts, but
nothing too sophisticated. Nematoda advanced to become parasitic and steal other animal's
nutrients in order to survive. Moving away from the lower invertebrates, we found the annelids,
worm type creatures with 3 body wall layers, sophisticated nephridia for waste, and a basic brain.
Mollusca gained a foot, and squids, which are arguably some of the most well adapted animals
in the world are in this category. In phylum arthropoda, we found animals with strong
exoskeletons to protect them, some with the ability to fly. The last of the higher invertebrates
were the echinodermata, which are the seastars. They have the unique ability to regrow lost
limbs, and have pentaradial symmetry. Moving to the chordates, which are the best advanced
animals in the world. All chordates have a notochord, a hollow dorsal nerve cord, pharyngeal
gill slits, and a muscular post anal tail. From porifera to chordata, it is obvious how much more
complex animals have become as a result of evolution.
Question#2
I believe that the Jelly fish are the best fit to survive on earth because of many of their
characteristics. They have lived in our oceans for over 500 million years providing ample
evidence that they can withstand many environmental changes. Jellyfish have the ability to live
in both salt water and fresh water making over half of the planet a possible home for these
creatures. They also have poisonous stinging cells called cnidocytes that help with defense and
digestion. Jellyfish have been known to be able to kill humans and other very well developed
animals through the stinging of their cnidocytes. Depending on the species you encounter, some
jellyfishs nematocysts (the shooting and stinging part of the cnidocytes) can carry a lethal dose
of poison. Jellyfish also are aware of their surroundings using a nerve net, ocelli and statocytes
which allow them to react to their environment. Some species also have the ability to jettison all
of their gametes (sperm or egg) almost ensuring some of their species survives. Because of their
ability to sense their environment, poisonous cnidocytes, and the ability to survive all over earth
and because of their ability to jettison their gametes, I believe Jellyfish to be the best to survive
on earth.
Question #3
I believe that our portfolios are great for studying for test, but as I said before I do not believe in
some aspects of evolution. That said, our portfolios did give great example of evolution because
it showed the evolution and adaptations of different developed animals and species. An example,
would be looking at the Lower Invertebrates; Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelmthes and Nematoda.
As we look at them, we can see the evolution of their digestive system as well as the creation of
body wall layers and body cavities which allow the organism to better survive on Earth. We can
even see how organisms develop specialized organs or body parts. An example of this would be
the Higher Invertebrates; Annelids, Mollusca, Arthropoda, and Echinodermata. The Annelids
have specialized parts for moving. Class Oligocheata (Earthworms) have setae that allow them to
move through dirt very well. Class Polycheata (Sandworms) have paddles called parapodia,

which allow them to move through water very well. Another example of specialization is the
creation of organ systems. Both the Annelids and the Arthropods have a circulatory system. The
Arthropods have a respiratory system too. When animals start to move on to land they develop
appendages to assist them in movement or else they couldn't move. You can compare the better
adapted animals to the more primitive animals and you will notice many differences. The first
animals on land were very worm. The first animal to grow appendages were the Arthropods
(Chilipoda/Diplopoda/Insectea/Arachnids and Crustea). These animals have a brittle exoskeleton
made of chitin making it hard to move. Eventually animals started to develop an interior
skeleton. The first animals that did this was the amphibians. They had legs and arms protruding
laterally out the sides of their bodies making them drag themselves across the ground. When they
evolved in to reptiles, their appendages moved from their sides to their ventral surface. This
made movement easier but these animals didn't have much muscle on their legs. When mammals
were formed they developed very efficient appendages allowing them to move very quickly. One
of the fastest animals is the cheetah (a mammal).