MAED-GS214 (ADVANCED ZOOLOGY)

ACTIVITY 2

Submitted to:
CHIM C. MISAJON, LPT., Ph.D.

Submitted by:
LEOPOLDO H. CONSTANTINO, LPT
 Phylum ANTHROPODA

1. Describe the main characteristics of arthropods and provide examples of different arthropod groups.
Ans: Characteristics shared by all arthropods includes Exoskeletons made of chitin, highly developed sense
organs, Jointed limbs (the limbs must be jointed like the joints in a suit of armor, since the exoskeleton is
rigid and cannot bend to allow movement), Segmented bodies, Ventral nervous system. “Ventral” means “in
front,” so this means that arthropods’ nervous systems run along the front of their bodies, near their
stomachs, instead of along their backs like the spinal cords of animals. Bilateral symmetry. This means that
the left and right sides of an arthropod are the same – it will have the same number and arrangement of legs,
eyes, etc. on the right side of its body as on the left. The examples of Arthropods are Ant, spiders, lobsters,
and butterflies.

2. How do arthropods differ from other animal phyla in terms of their body structure and evolutionary adaptations?
Ans: The major characteristics that distinguish Arthropoda from the other phyla are exoskeletons, jointed
appendages, body segmentation, open circulatory system, and a central nervous system.

3. Discuss the ecological roles of arthropods in various ecosystems and their importance in maintaining
biodiversity.
Ans: Arthropods play extremely important roles in maintaining the ecosystem and can also be beneficial for
humans. For example, many insects pollinate plants, produce useful substances, act as pest control, and
serve as food for other animals and also for humans. Others, such as mites, isopods, myriapods, and insects,
are scavengers or decomposers, breaking down dead plants and animals and converting them into soil
nutrients. Many crustacean species (crabs, lobsters, shrimp, crayfish) are largely consumed by humans and
are therefore farmed on an intensive commercial scale.

4. Explain the process of molting in arthropods and its significance in their growth and development.
Ans: Molting in arthropods is the process by which the animal sheds its exoskeleton, or outer layer of skin.
This process allows the animal to grow larger and to replace any damaged or lost body parts. The new
exoskeleton is usually softer and more flexible than the old one, and it takes some time for the animal to
harden and strengthen it.

Phylum MOLLUSKA

1. How do Mollusca differ from another phylum?

Ans: Phylum Mollusca can be distinguished from other invertebrates by the presence of.... Members of
Phylum Mollusca have non-segmented body with a distinct head, muscular foot and visceral hump. A soft
and spongy layer of skin forms a mantle over the visceral hump.
2. What do you call the pigment containing copper found in the blood of octopus?
Ans: The blue comes from a copper-rich protein called hemocyanin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to
the bloodstream and then to the cells of the octopus's body.
3. Explain the greatest act of sacrifice of the (Female ) Cephalopods
 Ans: Clever and strange, octopuses are fascinating creatures with incredible problem-solving skills and
breathtaking camouflage. But overall, they are short-lived, typically around for just one to two years.
That's because they semelparous, which means they reproduce just once before they die. With female
octopuses, once she's laid her eggs, that's it.
In fact, the mother even stops feeding - she'll stay and watch over her eggs until they hatch, slowly starving
to death. In captivity, towards the end, sometimes she'll tear off her own skin, and eat the tips of her own
tentacles.

4. Elaborate the benefits of mollusk in the environment

Ans: Mollusks are important in a variety of ways; they are used as food, for decoration, in jewelry, and in scientific
studies. They are even used as roadbed material and in vitamin supplements.

Phylum CHORDATA

1. What are the synapomorphies of chordates? Choose one from the four synapomorphies and discuss.

Ans: The four synapomorphies of the chordates are notochord, dorsal hollow nerve cord, pharyngeal gill
slits and post-natal tale. The dorsal hollow nerve cord is derived from ectoderm that rolls into a hollow
tube during development. In chordates, it is located dorsally to the notochord. In contrast, the nervous
system in protostome animal phyla is characterized by solid nerve cords that are located either ventrally
and/or laterally to the gut. In vertebrates, the neural tube develops into the brain and spinal cord, which
together comprise the central nervous system (CNS). The peripheral nervous system (PNS) refers to the
peripheral nerves (including the cranial nerves) lying outside of the brain and spinal cord.

2. Why is hemichordate excluded in the chordates? States the importance of phylum hemicordate.

Ans: Earlier hemichordates were kept in phylum chordata due to the presence of a buccal
diverticulum which was supposed to be a rudimentary notochord however later it was found that this
structure does not show any resemblance to the notochord and DNA analysis showed that hemichordates
are much closer to echinoderms than chordates. The importance of Phylum Hemichordate is that they
are very important for the study of vertebrates and they are considered as connecting links between
vertebrates and invertebrates.

3. Why do vertebrates have backbones? Explain

Ans: The major function of the vertebral column is protection of the spinal cord; it also provides
stiffening for the body and attachment for the pectoral and pelvic girdles and many muscles.
4. Discuss the anatomy and physiology of phylum chordata using the frog as an example.

Ans: Frogs have an equally well-developed nervous system comprising the brain, spinal cord, and
nerves. Like humans, a frog's brain is divided into the cerebrum, cerebellum, and medulla oblongata. In
addition, ten cranial nerves originate from the brain, and ten spinal nerves arise from the spinal cord. 

Phylum ECHINODERMATA
1. Discuss the general characteristics and evolutionary significance of Phylum Echinodermata.
Ans: The Phylum Echinodermata is distinguished by characteristics such as spiny-skin, pentaradial
symmetry, and an endoskeleton composed of calcareous ossicles. Given that all species in this phylum
are exclusively marine dwellers, they also evolved a specialized water-vascular system.
Echinoderms developed many key evolutionary characteristics that define all species within the phylum,
making them one of the most unique animal phyla. Four major synapomorphies are identifiable within
all species of the Echinoderms that distinguish all members of the phylum.
. 
2. Analyze the feeding strategies and mechanisms employed by echinoderms, including filter feeding,
grazing and predation.

Ans: There are a variety of feeding methods used by echinoderms like sea urchins, crinoids, sea stars,
sea cucumbers and brittle stars in the ocean. Feather stars (crinoids) and brittle stars use passive filter
feeding to capture food particles that float by in the water, while sea stars are hunters that pursue and
capture their prey, bending their arms to push the food into their mouths. A few sea star species are
passive feeders like crinoids and brittle stars. Sea urchins tend to be grazers that scrape algae off rocks
and other surfaces. Sea cucumbers are known as deposit feeders because they eat small food particles
that settle on the ocean floor.

3. Explain the role of echinoderms in marine ecosystems and their ecological importance.

Ans: Echinoderms occur in all marine environments, from shallow intertidal zones to the deep sea, and
play an important role in marine ecosystems. They are important predators, prey, and scavengers and
help maintain healthy ecosystems by regulating the distribution and abundance of other marine
organisms.

4. Compare and contrast the body plans and locomotion strategies of different echinoderm classes.
Ans: Stalked crinoids attach themselves to the substrate using a flexible stalk, while feather stars
(stalkless crinoids) crawl or swim using their arms. The feather stars have the ability to move gracefully
by coordinated movements of their arms and can even swim in a feather-like manner.