stinging cells
Jellyfish defense mechanism
Stinging cells are specialized structures found in jellyfish, sea anemones, and other cnidarians that inject venom when triggered by contact.
Each cell contains a coiled, harpoon-like thread that fires rapidly into prey or predators.
The technical term is nematocysts.
The Portuguese man-of-war's stinging cells remain active even after the animal dies.
- nematocystsStinging organelles of cnidarians
- jellyfishDrifting marine stinger
- harpoonBarbed spear for whales
- cnidarianStinging aquatic invertebrate
- marine lifeOcean-dwelling organisms collectively
tubule · trigger mechanism · medusa · polyp · barb · venom · tentacles · envenomation · immobilization · hydra · capsule · sea anemones · fire coral · corals · predation · toxin · defense · inject
defensive/offensive mechanism
stinging cellsprotective shell
Hard external defense layer
armor plating · mucus membrane · scales · exoskeleton · thick skin