Kingdom Animalia — Biology STD 11 Science — Question
Maharashtra BoardEnglish MediumSTD 11 ScienceBiologyKingdom Animalia5 Marks
Question
Explain in brief the characteristic features of Phylum Hemichordata.
✓
Answer
The given organism (Balanoglossus) belongs to phylum Hemichordata. Characteristics of phylum Hemichordata:
Habitat: Hemichordates are exclusively marine animals, usually living at the bottom of the sea in burrows. These are mostly free – living but animals like Rhabdopleura are sedentary.
Body shape and division: Body is soft and vermiform. It is unsegmented and divided into three parts namely – proboscis, collar and trunk.
Digestive system: Alimentary canal is complete, straight or ‘U’ shaped. Buccal cavity gives rise to a rod-like buccal diverticulum.
Respiration: Respiration is brought about by numerous gills arranged in two longitudinal rows present in the pharyngeal region. Gills open by gill slits.
Circulation: Circulatory system is simple and open type.
Excretion: It takes place with help of with the glomerulus.
Nervous system: Nervous tissue is embedded in epidermis on the dorsal as well as the ventral side.
Reproduction and development: Sexes are separate (sometimes bisexual). Fertilization is external and development is indirect through free swimming larva.
Need a full question paper?
Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.