Exercises 37 and 38: Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, and Annelida
Both Exercise 37 and 38 are designed to help a researcher in investigating and understanding the Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, Annelida phyla of the animal kingdom. The three phyla fall in the category of worms and it interests a researcher to identify their features, life cycle and adaptations that make them survive the various conditions they exist.
In Exercise 37 the prominent features of Platyhelminthes and Nematoda are described in relation to their ability to survive and reproduce in a host. In doing this, the general morphology of ringworms in Nematoda phylum and flatworms within the phylum Platyhelminthes is described. Through laboratory procedures 37.1, 37.2, 37.3, and 37.4 three organisms Dugesia, Rhabditus and Turbatrix, Ascaris and Trichinella, Necator, Enterobius, and Dirofilaria are examined. Based on the characteristics obtained in the observations, the factors promoting successful existence of round and flatworms in the host are highlighted (Vodopich & Moore, 2006).
Exercise 38 is aimed at examining the phyla Mollusca and Annelida as part of the Animal Kingdom. In this exercise, snails, oysters, octopus and nudibranchs in the Phylum Mollusca and Earthworms, beach tube worms, polychaetes, and leeches are analyzed for their characteristics. In procedure 38.1, bivalve anatomy is examined through a laboratory process involving a fresh water bivalve. Procedures 38.2 and 38.3 examine polychaetes and locomotion of earthworms respectively. The internal and external features of an earthworm are examined in procedures 38.4 and 38.5. The last procedure in exercise 38 examines leeches. Based on the various procedures carried out in exercise 38, a conclusion on how various structures unique to mollusks and annelids promote the survival and evolutionary persistence in their habitats. Similar to Exercise 37, Exercise 38 describes the general morphology of organisms in phyla Annelida and Mollusca (Vodopich & Moore, 2006).
Reference
Vodopich, D., & Moore, R. (2006). Biology Laboratory Manual (8th ed.). New York:
McGraw-Hill Companies.
