flatworms
Tapeworms and flukes
Flatworms are a group of soft-bodied invertebrates with flattened, ribbon-like bodies.
They lack a body cavity and circulatory system, absorbing nutrients directly through their skin.
The group includes free-living species like planarians, found in freshwater and marine environments, as well as parasitic forms—tapeworms and flukes—that infect humans and other animals.
Chance stroke of luck
- trematodeParasitic flatworm class
- hostOne receiving guests
- infectionPathogen invasion causing illness
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
endoparasite · life-cycle · infestation · scolex · hooklets · suckers · cyst
Involving two parties
- dorsoventralBack-to-belly directional axis
- pharynxMuscular throat cavity
- mesodermEmbryonic tissue forming muscles
- ectodermEmbryo's outer cell layer
endoderm · ganglia · eyespots · cilia · protonephridia · soft-bodied · unsegmented
Self-sustaining in nature
- marineRelating to the sea
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- terrestrialRelating to land
- benthicOf the sea bottom
pond · stream · tropical · intertidal · substrate · nocturnal · predatory · scavenger
Regenerative freshwater flatworm
- regrowDevelop again after loss
- totipotentCan develop into any cell
- pluripotentAble to become many cell types
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
asexual · proliferation · mitosis · rejuvenation · polarity · patterning · immortality
fluke
Chance stroke of luck
larvae · endoparasite · life-cycle · infestation · scolex · hooklets · suckers · cyst
bilateral
Involving two parties
- dorsoventralBack-to-belly directional axis
- pharynxMuscular throat cavity
- mesodermEmbryonic tissue forming muscles
ectoderm · endoderm · ganglia · eyespots · cilia · protonephridia · soft-bodied · unsegmented
free-living
Self-sustaining in nature
- marineRelating to the sea
- freshwaterNon-saline aquatic environment
- terrestrialRelating to land
benthic · pond · stream · tropical · intertidal · substrate · nocturnal · predatory · scavenger · detritivore
planaria
Regenerative freshwater flatworm
- regrowDevelop again after loss
- totipotentCan develop into any cell
- pluripotentAble to become many cell types
fission · asexual · proliferation · mitosis · rejuvenation · polarity · patterning · immortality