1. Porifera - How can sponges benefit the environment even if they cannot move? Every animal falls into a role in our ecosystem, no matter how useless they seem. Sponges are essential in their environment since they absorb potentially harmful bacteria which could effect the functions of other marine life when they filter water around them. Sponges may also use their breathing to be able to turn ammonium into nitrogen gas, which is then released into the atmosphere. this lowers excess nitrogen levels in coral reefs which are known to be very critical in our oceans.
2. Platyhelminthes - How do free-living and parasitic flatworms differ? The two flatworms are quite dissimilar in ways such that the parasitic ones are less complex since they do not require a digestive or a nervous system. They also live off multiple hosts by feeding on blood, tissue fluids or pieces of cells, and reproduce sexually. Free-living flatworms are more complex since they have a digestive cavity, their food and waste both pass from their mouth. They are hermaphrodites, being able to reproduce sexually or asexually, and are carnivores or scavengers.
3. Echinodermata - Why do echinoderms require a water vascular system and how does it work? Echinoderms do not have blood, therefore the water vascular system carries out essential body functions instead, including respiration, circulation, excretion, and movement. This system is filled with fluid and includes internal canals connected to the external body parts called tubed feet. In most species the thin-walled tissue of the tube feet provides the main surface for respiration.
4. Molluska - In which ways are mollusks being found useful for scientific research? Mollusks have helped researchers in many ways including providing information on past climate events and oceanic changes, thus increase our understanding to predict future changes. Scientists have also discovered an evolution in mollusks brains that could help cure people with degenerative brain diseases.
5. Arthropods & Spiders - Describe the growth and development in arthropods. Arthropods use the technique of molting during growth, which is when the animal must shed their old exoskeleton and expand to a larger size before the new exoskeleton hardens. They develop similar to a caterpillar, as they start their early stages in larval form and slowly develop into a different form as they turn into adults.
6. Arthropods & Insects - What adaptations do insects have to eat, stay safe from predators, move, and communicate? Although they are small and seem useless, insects have evolved to adapt perfectly to their environments. To feed, they have three pairs of appendages that are used as mouth parts including a pair of mandibles. Many insects produce a useful saliva that contains digestive enzymes that help break down food. To protect themselves from predators they have compound eyes as well as sensory hairs, which are great since they detect slight movement in the surrounding air or water. Insects can either crawl, fly or jump in order to get places or run away from predators. Lastly, they can communicate by using sound, visual, and chemical senses.
PART 2 - Comparing Phylums
Internal Transport
Throughout the 8 phylums there have been many differences in the species in how their bodies circulate internally. It started with the phylum porifera, where animals like sponges do not exactly have a circulatory system, but have choanocytes that used flagellum to push water into their bodies, then the water leaves through the osculum. This is much different than any other phylum, although makes sense since sponges are unlike many animals. Cnidarians also do not have a proper circulatory system, but they have a gastrovascular cavity which is where most of the body functions happen. Phylum platymelminthes do not need a proper circulatory system since they are flat and thin, though are a big jump from the first two phylums since it uses diffusion to transport oxygen and nutrients to their internal tissue. The next phylum, nematoda, also uses diffusion to carry nutrients through their bodies, as well as to carry other body functions such as respiration and excretion. Phylum annelida is where a big jump happens, as these species start to have a closed circulatory system, much like our own. This contains developed blood vessels and a coelom separated by septa. Moving onto molluska, where open circulatory systems begin to develop. This means that when the blood is not being contained in the blood vessels, it works through the body tissues in the sinuses. This works well for mollusks that are slow moving or sessile, for example snails or clams. Echinoderms are unique as they have a water vascular system that is not only responsible for internal transport, but also carrying out other functions like respiration and excretion. Finishing with arthropods, which go back to the open circulatory system. This means they have a well developed heart that pumps blood through arteries that branch and enter the tissues. During the evolution of the eight phylums, many changes have been made in how each of their bodies circulate internally. From using choanocytes and flagellum to having a proper open circulatory system, these species have developed in ways that befit them to their proper environments.
PART 3 - Phylum Fanatics Reflection
A) From a teaching and preparation perspective The Phylum Fanatics Assignment was definitely very new to everybody since no other course approaches material like this. It was overall very fun since we took over the teaching for two days and got to plan everything. I think this was beneficial in many ways since it needed many time management and organization skills, which were developed along the way. It was also fun doing something new like this, since most other projects are bland and similar to each other. I also developed a deep understanding of my phylum (arthopoda) and was confident in teaching it by the time we had to present. What I found good about this project is that many teachers approach material in a way that makes most sense to them, though this usually does not match how about half of the class learns material. So, I thought this was a great idea to show teachers how we best learn material by using methods that we prefer. One downside about this project is the amount of people per group! I feel this would have gone better with groups of about three, since it is hard to work in big groups. Overall, I felt that we did good on this project and the one thing I would change would be circulating the class more and slowing down as we read notes. I would definitely be willing to do this assignment again and recommend something similar to it for other classes!
B) From a student and learner perspective Being a student during the few weeks that we did this was also enjoyable since everyday we were approached with material in different ways. Usually the methods went well, because as students we teach how we want to be taught. Although, some groups seemed to be less organized than others which affected everybody. The cons of this activity were that I feel that the teachers were respected less since in reality they are our peers and I feel that the first two groups were put under lots of stress having to prepare something they have never done before in very little time.