Descriptions of Invertebrate

Parts and Systems

Prepared by: Prof. Samuel M. Go

Last edited: June 2008
 Characteristics used in the identification
of invertebrates
 Symmetry and antimere type
 Integument
 Skeletal system
 Muscle form
 Respiratory strategies
 Mode and type of digestion
 Mode of circulation
 Excretion
 Nervous functions/systems
 Reproductive system
 Embryological development (cleavage and coelom)
 Ecological, medical, environmental importance
 Types of Symmetry and Body Form

 Asymmetry – e.g. Amoeba sp.

 Spherical – e.g. radiolaria
 Radial – e.g. Hydra sp. and starfishes
 Biradial – e.g. seacucumbers
 Bilateral – e.g. insects, arthropods

Take note of the number of planes and

axis that can divide the organism in
symmetrical halves
 Integument
 Primarily functions as an external
protective covering but may also have
secondary functions (e.g. muscular,
stinging, secretory, sensory, etc.)
 Varies in terms of number of layers, one
or many.
 Varies in terms of the shape of the cells
that compose each layer.
 Presence of specialized cells.
 Skeletal System
 Functions by giving support, form and
protection of vital organs.
 Either endoskeleton or exoskeleton
 Exoskeletal system may or may not
contain calcium salt deposition
 Hydroskeletal system is based on the
presence of fluid pressure.
 Muscular Form
 Primarily present for movement.
 Ranges from epitheliomuscular cells,
muscle fibers, muscle layers, muscle
bundles.
 Movement is achieved thru the
contraction and relaxation of antagonist
muscles.
 Usually attached to either a
endoskeleton or exoskeletal segment.
 Respiratory Strategies
 Requires the diffusion of gases across a
moist semi-permeable membrane.
 The type is dictated upon by the surface
area to volume ratio of the organism.
 Via cell membrane or integument
 Via gills
 Via lungs
 Mode and type of Digestion
 Complete vs. incomplete digestive system
 Extracellular or intracellular
 Absorptive or ingestion
 May have compartmentalization that
house organisms essential for digestion
 Mode of Circulation
 Functions in the distribution of food,
gases and the removal of waste.
 Cytoplasmic streaming for single cell
organism.
 More complex in metazoans: with a
pumping organ, circulating fluid and
channels for the fluid to transport.
 Closed versus open circulatory system.
 Excretion
 Primarily manages nitrogenous waste;
secondarily assist in maintaining
osmotic balance.
 Ammonia (gas), urea (liquid) and uric
acid (solid)
 Type of excrement depend on the
availability of water and the amount of
water intake by the organism.
 e.g. vacuoles, nephridia, glands, organs
 Nervous System
 Determines if the organism can conduct
a localize or general response to stimuli.
 Isolated nerve cells
 Nerve nets
 Ganglion - - -  brain
 Ladder type
 Related to the degree of cephalization.
 Reproductive System
 Sexual, asexual or both strategies used.
 External versus internal fertilization.
 External versus internal gestation.

 Asexualmodes: fission, budding,

regeneration, fragmentation,
parthenogenesis
 Types of
Cleavage
formation and
Processes of
Coelom
formation
 Types of
Coelom:

Acoelomate

Pseudocoeloma
te

Eucoelomate
Other Traits:
 Based on the ecological niche: location
and association with other living forms.
 Based on the type of nutrient
acquisition.
 Based on its economic, medical or
ecological importance.