Those apart of the Echinodermata phylum are commonly known as echinoderms, and there are approximately 7,000 different known species within this phylum. These organisms are free-swimming, and have five-parted symmetry, also known as pentaradial symmetry. These organisms come in different shapes, sizes, and colours. Some organisms that are apart of this phylum include sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crinoids, and brittle stars. When a star star’s arms are pulled together they make the basic shape of their relative the sea urchin. When the sea urchin is turned on its side and stretched out, it makes the shape of its relative the sea cucumber. Even though echinoderms have different shapes, they still all posses the five-part symmetry. Some things that these organisms do which keep their environment ecologically healthy are burrowing to deepen the ocean and provide more oxygen, as well as prevent the growth of algae on coral reefs. Some organisms apart of this phylum have a much more strength than humans do, for example, a sea star has a pony pallet which is connected to tiny muscles, allowing them to flex effortlessly for very long periods of time. This is something that is impossible for humans to do.
MOVEMENT: Echinoderms have different ways of moving in their aquatic environment depending on their species. These organisms can move by either walking or crawling, as they pump sea water through a series of internal body canals. The water enters through a sieve plate. Echinoderms have several tube feet on their arms, and inflate with water, which then makes them expand. In most cases, their tube feet have suckers which are used to get a good grip on the sea floor. Other organisms of the Echinodermata phylum move by rowing their arms in the water.
BODY COVERINGS: These organisms have three cell layers: the ectoderm, endoderm, and in between these two is the mesoderm. Echinoderms have an organ system level of organization, meaning that groups of two or more tissue work together to make this organism function. Their bodies have the ability to release toxins towards predators and prey.
SUPPORT: Echinoderms are invertebrates; however, these organisms have a skeleton of their own that allows them to keep their body structure. Their skeletons are called endoskeletons, which is made up of calcium carbonate plates. Sea stars for example have bony platelets, which lies beneath their skin, woven together by tiny muscles.
NUTRITION: In order to obtain their food, echinoderms in different ways. Sea urchins have sensory tube feet which taste the water for virtually anything for them to eat. The tube feet them pass along their prey until it reaches the jaw, which then carefully cuts it into smaller pieces, making it easier for them to eat. These particular organisms prefer plants algae, and giant kelp. Sea cucumbers obtain their main food source, sand, by using their tube feet to excavating it into their mouths. Brittle stars obtain their food by waving their arms, patiently waiting to snatch plankton. Sea stars prey on mussels by using their sensory tube feet to get the organism out of its shell. After their the sea star’s stomach, will come out and snatch up the prey alive. The stomach then releases chemical weapons to help with digestion.
RESPIRATION: Echinoderms have a rather simple respiratory system, using their gills and tube feet to intake oxygen, and to release carbon dioxide in the same way. These organisms also have a channel of canals that are filled with fluid to assist with gas exchange.
CIRCULATION: Echinoderms use their water vascular system in order to pump fluids and blood throughout their body. This system changes fluid pressure to move the blood around in the echinoderm’s body. These organisms lack a true heart.
EXCRETION: Almost all echinoderms release solid waste through their anus, in the form of feces. Other organisms within this phylum release waste in the same place as they took it in, making that opening both a mouth and an anus.
RESPONSE: Echinoderms have do not have a brain, so instead they have a nerve ring, which is responsible to co-ordinate the movement of these organism’s arms. They also have nerves running from their mouths to their arms. Since these organisms also lack eyes, echinoderms have light sensing organ that can detect light and darkness, however cannot provide these organisms with a visual. As well, their tube feet help to smell chemicals, as well as smell and taste food.
REPRODUCTION: For the most part, echinoderms are diecious, meaning that organisms within this phylum have separate male and female sex organs. They can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexually, the female will release her eggs, and once in the water will be fertilized by the male. After this, larvae will form, and the larvae will grow into an adult echinoderm. Asexually, a piece of a specific echinoderm may break off, and a new replica of that organism will form during a process known as division.
MOVEMENT: Echinoderms have different ways of moving in their aquatic environment depending on their species. These organisms can move by either walking or crawling, as they pump sea water through a series of internal body canals. The water enters through a sieve plate. Echinoderms have several tube feet on their arms, and inflate with water, which then makes them expand. In most cases, their tube feet have suckers which are used to get a good grip on the sea floor. Other organisms of the Echinodermata phylum move by rowing their arms in the water.
BODY COVERINGS: These organisms have three cell layers: the ectoderm, endoderm, and in between these two is the mesoderm. Echinoderms have an organ system level of organization, meaning that groups of two or more tissue work together to make this organism function. Their bodies have the ability to release toxins towards predators and prey.
SUPPORT: Echinoderms are invertebrates; however, these organisms have a skeleton of their own that allows them to keep their body structure. Their skeletons are called endoskeletons, which is made up of calcium carbonate plates. Sea stars for example have bony platelets, which lies beneath their skin, woven together by tiny muscles.
NUTRITION: In order to obtain their food, echinoderms in different ways. Sea urchins have sensory tube feet which taste the water for virtually anything for them to eat. The tube feet them pass along their prey until it reaches the jaw, which then carefully cuts it into smaller pieces, making it easier for them to eat. These particular organisms prefer plants algae, and giant kelp. Sea cucumbers obtain their main food source, sand, by using their tube feet to excavating it into their mouths. Brittle stars obtain their food by waving their arms, patiently waiting to snatch plankton. Sea stars prey on mussels by using their sensory tube feet to get the organism out of its shell. After their the sea star’s stomach, will come out and snatch up the prey alive. The stomach then releases chemical weapons to help with digestion.
RESPIRATION: Echinoderms have a rather simple respiratory system, using their gills and tube feet to intake oxygen, and to release carbon dioxide in the same way. These organisms also have a channel of canals that are filled with fluid to assist with gas exchange.
CIRCULATION: Echinoderms use their water vascular system in order to pump fluids and blood throughout their body. This system changes fluid pressure to move the blood around in the echinoderm’s body. These organisms lack a true heart.
EXCRETION: Almost all echinoderms release solid waste through their anus, in the form of feces. Other organisms within this phylum release waste in the same place as they took it in, making that opening both a mouth and an anus.
RESPONSE: Echinoderms have do not have a brain, so instead they have a nerve ring, which is responsible to co-ordinate the movement of these organism’s arms. They also have nerves running from their mouths to their arms. Since these organisms also lack eyes, echinoderms have light sensing organ that can detect light and darkness, however cannot provide these organisms with a visual. As well, their tube feet help to smell chemicals, as well as smell and taste food.
REPRODUCTION: For the most part, echinoderms are diecious, meaning that organisms within this phylum have separate male and female sex organs. They can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Sexually, the female will release her eggs, and once in the water will be fertilized by the male. After this, larvae will form, and the larvae will grow into an adult echinoderm. Asexually, a piece of a specific echinoderm may break off, and a new replica of that organism will form during a process known as division.