PHYLUM

MOLLUSCA
Done by Shawn Sam of class 11:F
 Agenda

1 2 3 4 5
Introduction Characteristics Classification of A few examples Conclusion &
to Mollusca of Mollusca Mollusca Key points

2 Presentation title 20XX

1.Introduction
The animals belonging to the phylum Mollusca have soft-
bodies, triploblastic [having a body derived from three
embryonic cell layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and
endoderm)] and bilaterally symmetrical and coelomate
(The animals possessing the cavity are known as
coelomates). The term Mollusca was derived from the
term given by Aristotle to cuttlefish. Mollusc means soft.

3
2.Characteristics of
Mollusca
1. They are mostly found in marine and freshwater. Very few are
terrestrial and found in moist soil.
2. They exhibit organ system level of organization
3. Their body has a cavity.
4. The body is divided into head, visceral mass, muscular foot
and mantle.
5. The head comprises of tentacles and compound eyes.
6. The body is covered by a calcareous shell (Calcareous
means mostly, or partly, composed of the limy calcium
carbonate, which is rich in the element calcium.)
7. They have a well-developed digestive system, the radula is
the rasping organ for feeding.
8. The blood circulates through the open circulatory system.
9. They have a pair of metanephridia (Metanephridium is an excretory
organ found in invertebrates like arthropods, annelids and molluscs ) that
helps in excretion
10. Respiration in Mollusca occurs through the general body
surface, gills or pulmonary sac

5
 3. Classification of Mollusca

• 1. Aplacophora or Solenogasters - The body is cylindrical or bilaterally symmetrical.

• 2. Monoplacophora - The body is bilaterally symmetrical.
• 3. Polyplacophora - Their body is dorsoventrally flattened like a leaf, and are bilaterally
symmetrical.
• 4. Gastropoda - They are found either on land or in fresh and marine water.
• 5. Scaphopoda - Found in the marine environment.
• 6. Pelecypoda - They reside in aquatic habitats.
• 7. Cephalopoda - They are mostly found in the marine environment.
6 Presentation title 20XX
 A FEW EXAMPLES OF MOLLUSCA

1.PILA(APPLE SNAIL)

7 Presentation title 20XX

 LIMAX UNIO OCTOPUS LOLIGO
(SLUG) (FRESHWATER MUSSEL) (DEVILFISH) (SQUID)

8 Presentation title 20XX

KEY POINTS
& CONCLUSION
1. Phylum Mollusca is the second largest phylum.
2. A few molluscs such as Unio possess green glands which
mimic the liver in vertebrates.
3. They possess osphradia (The major function of
osphradium is to test the incoming water for silt and food
particles.) to test the chemical nature of water.
4. Octopus has 8 arms and contains no shell. They also
possess ink glands for protection.
5. The blood is blue or green in colour due to the presence of
a pigment containing copper called haemocyanin.
6. They possess a myogenic heart.

9
Thank you
DONE BY SHAWN SAM OF CLASS 11:F