Understanding Platyhelminthes: Characteristics and Adaptations
Platyhelminthes, also known as flatworms, exhibit a dorsoventrally flattened body with bilateral symmetry. They can be endoparasites or free-living organisms, with some displaying unique adaptations for attachment and survival. These acoelomate organisms lack a complete digestive system, excreting waste through flame cells. Hermaphroditism is common, and regeneration abilities vary among species. Explore the diverse features and adaptations of this fascinating phylum.
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4. Phylum : Platyhelminthes (platy -flat, helminth -worms) e.g. Planaria, Taenia (Tapeworm), Fasciola (Liver fluke).
Salient features of phylum platyhelmintes: *Habitat- 1.Animals are mostly endoparasites few are free living. (Planaria.) * Body shape- 1.The body of these animals is dorsoventrally flattened with bilateral symmetry. *Body organization: 2.They show organ-system grade of the organization. *Germ layers- 3.They are triploblastic
*Coelom: 4. . They are acoelomate. .*Body plan 5. They show blind sac body plan. * Special feature- 6. free living forms are covered by cilia and parasitic forms have hooks and suckers for attachment to the host body. 7. In parasitic forms, the body is covered by a cuticle. 8. Digestive system is absent in parasitic forms and incomplete in free living forms.
9. Excretion and osmoregulation occurs by flame cells or protonephridia . * Reproduction- 10.Animals are hermaphrodite (bisexual). Self fertilization is seen. 11. Few animals show high power regeneration and show polyemryony.