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14.2 Diversity of organisms

The students should be able to
(a) Describe the morphological characteristics of the
following phyla in the respective kingdoms:
Protoctista (Chlorophyta and zoomastigina),
Fungi (Zygomycota), Plantae (Bryophyta,
Filicinophyta, Coniferophyta and
Angiospermophyta) and Animalia (Porifera,
Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Mollusca, Arthropoda
and Chordata).

Phylum Mollusca
• Eumetazoans; organ level of organization
• Triploblastic
• Bilateral symmetry & asymmetry
• Coelomates

• Non-segmented
• Soft-bodied
• Body has muscular foot ( for movement )
• Body has a visceral mass ( contains internal organs )
• Body has a mantle ( usually secretes a shell )
• Most feed using radula
• Many marine mollusks produce trochophore larvae

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Classification of phylum Mollusca

1. Class Gastropoda
eg: Achatina fulica ( garden snail )

2. Class Bivalvia
eg: Anadara ( cockle )

3. Class Cephalopoda
eg: Sepia ( squid )

CHAPTER: BIODIVERSITY

i. Class Gastropoda ( Achatina )

• Asymmetric body

• Has single coiled shell

• Has distinct head with eyes at tips

of tentacles

• Has elongated muscular foot

• Terrestrial snail lacks gills ( lining

of mantle cavity functions as lung )

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ii. Class Cephalopoda ( Sepia )

• Shell is reduced & internal

• Foot modified into muscular

excurrent siphon, tentacles &
head

• Has close circulatory system

• Has well-developed sense organs,

nervous system & complex brain

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iii. Class Bivalvia ( Anadara )

• Has flattened shell divided into 2

halves ( with adductor muscles )
• No distinct head

• Has hatchet-shaped foot ( for

digging & anchoring )

• Filter-feeders ( has no radula )

• Gills for feeding & gas exchange

• Has siphons

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