The Topic: Invertebrates
The Basics
Easier- Invertebrates are animals with out a backbone. They range from a simple sponge
found in the ocean to the millions of insects found everywhere on earth.
Harder – Invertebrates are animals without a backbone. The animal Kingdom is divided
into 34 phyla (singular Phylum) 33 of which include invertebrates. 8 of these phyla make
up the majority of invertebrates. These are the phylum Porifera (10,000 different
species), Cnidarian (9,500), Platyhelminthesis (25,000) , Nematoda(80,000) ,
Annelida(9,000), Mollusca (110,000), Arthropoda(1,000,000) and Echinodermata
(6,000). Animals are classified into these groups based on major characteristics. Some
of these characteristics include body symmetry, internal and external body structure,
habitat, diet, locomotion and reproduction. They all have one of three types of body
symmetry, either asymmetry, radial symmetry , bilateral symmetry. They have one of
three types of body cavity, either acoelom, psuedocoelom or coelom. They have specific
body structures such pores, segments, tentacles, antennae and other appendages that are
adaptations for survival in their environment. They can be found in all environments.
Many are found in the ocean and are believed to be the first animals on earth. They are
the ancestors of all modern animals. Most of them have simple body plans and obtained
most of their food, oxygen and other materials directly from their surroundings. These
living descendants of early animals are indicators of how successful these simple body
plans were for food gathering, reproduction, and digestion because they still exist in
animals today.
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Meet the Invertebrates
http://can-do.com/uci/lessons98/Invertebrates.html
Discusses classification of animals and then gives a description and link for 7 of
the 8 major phyla of invertebrates. Includes overview questions for each group.
Welcome to the Myriad World of Invertebrates
http://www.earthlife.net/inverts
Provides a great overview on the history and evolution on invertebrates. Includes
a link to an information page on each animal phylum.
Marine Invertebrate
http://www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/marinver.htm
This site provides a general overview on invertebrates with a very resourceful link
to the Smithsonian’s Department of Systematic Biology-Invertebrate Zoology
page. It also provides pictures and information on several examples of
invertebrate animals.
Introductions to the 8 major Phyla of Invertebrates
Porifera
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/porifera.html
Gives an introduction to the simplest phyla of invertebrates along with different
examples of sponges in this phylum.
Cnidarian
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/cnidaria/cnidaria.html
An introduction to Cnadarians which includes basic characteristics and examples
along with further classification of this phylum.
Flatworms (Phylum Platyhelminthesis)
http://www.rzuser.uni-heidelberg.de/~bu6/flatintr.htm#introdu
General information, characteristics, examples and photos of flatworms
Annelids
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/annelida/annelida.html
Introduction to the phylum of segmented worms, includes links to the history and
evolution, the systematics and morphology of these worms.
Molluscs
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/mollusca/mollusca.html
This introduction to Molluscs provides a little background information on the
phylum. It is currently under construction, but should be done soon.
Arthropods
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/arthropoda/arthropoda.html
This site gives an overview on the largest group of animals. It provides links to
the 5 classes of this phylum.
Echinodermata
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/echinodermata/echinodermata.html
General information, characteristics, examples and photos of echinoderms
Be An Explorer
After visiting several of the websites for invertebrates, complete one or more of the
following activities:
Differentiate between the 3 types of symmetry. Go to
http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/programs/invertebrates/ and complete the lesson
on invertebrates.
Play the Deep Sea Memory Game. Go to “Activities, Games and Fun” on the
Monterey Bay Aquarium page http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/lc/activities.asp and
play the Deep Sea Memory Game. Then from the animals you match, pick 3
invertebrates to learn more about through the online field guide link. Write a summary
about each animal you chose.
Complete an invertebrate webquest. Follow or adapt the procedures found at one or
more of the following webquests:
1.) A Hunting We Will Go by Peggy Hanson
http://www.griswold.k12.ia.us/Peggyswebquest/mywebquest/invertebrates.html
2.) Environmental Invertebrate Webquest by Plainville schools
http://www.plainvilleschools.org/Curriculum%20Units/Science/livingthings/page
s/invertebratequest.html
3.) The Invertebrate Webquest by Mrs. Inoue
http://webtech.cherokee.k12.ga.us/chapman-is/sinoue/invertebrates_p_age.htm
4.) The Silent Sea Creatures by Denise Paradis
http://www.longmeadow.k12.ma.us/wms/pages1/Paradis/seacreatures.html
5.) Wonderful Worms by Kittiya Banks-Johnson and Elizabeth Langer
http://www.esc20.net/etprojects/formats/webquests/summer99/northside/worms/st
udent.html
6.) Creepy Crawly Bugs by Tori Gilpin and Mike Longoria
http://education.nmsu.edu/webquest/wq/bugs/index.htm
Compare and contrast natural and synthetic sponges. Get several examples of natural
and synthetic sponges. Compare and contrast their structure, appearance, water holding
capacity and any other characteristics you can think of.
Speculate on the future of Coral Reefs. Pretend that it is the year 2100. What will our
planet’s coral reefs be like then? Write two different scenarios: 1.) the best possible
situation and why/how it took place and 2.) what may happen if we cannot save them.
Observe and learn about worms. Find directions for collecting and housing worms in
plastic see-through containers at http://www.nsc.org/ehc/kids/wormcndo.htm
Raise Monarch Butterflies. Visit http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/393.html and learn
how to raise your own butterflies.
Build (and eat) the Arthropods. Visit
http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/phylum/arthropod.html and
http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/spidersparlour/ed1a.htm Using mini and regular
marshmallows, pretzel sticks and pull and peel licorice, build a model of an example
from each of the classes on arthropods. Be sure to show correct number of body
segments, legs, antennae and any other distinguishing characteristic of the class. After
the teacher checks your models, you may eat them!
More 2 eXplore
Websites for students
What is an invertebrate?
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/sirrobhitch.suffolk/invert/inverteb.htm
Information and links designed by 3rd and 4th graders. Gives a simple
overview on invertebrates.
Reef invertebrate image gallery
http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/biology/BIOL_81A/invert/invert.html
Provides large, colorful images of invertebrates divided into the different
phyla.
More on invertebrates
http://www.kidpart.com/RefLib/Science/Animals/AnimalIndexInv.htm
Provides pictures and information on major groups of invertebrate.
Invertebrates
http://www.lams.losalamos.k12.nm.us/heacock/HeacockSci/invertebrate.html
A site created by a 7th grade science class that list several examples of
invertebrates along with descriptions and pictures of each example.
Kid Info, Reference Resources –Insects
http://www.kidinfo.com/Science/insects.html
This is a great site with lots of reference links on the largest group of
invertebrates, the insects.
Websites for teachers
Enchanted Learning – Invertebrates
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/index.shtml
Gives examples of invertebrates, which include links to a summary of that
animal and printouts for labeling.
Marine Invertebrates
http://www.cyhaus.com/marine/inverts.htm
This is a very good site for classification on animals from phylum to order.
Invertebrates: The Marvelous Majority
http://www.fonz.org/zoogoer/zg1996/zginvert.htm
Includes unique and interesting facts on invertebrates along with quotes
and poems related to these animals.
Science – Invertebrates
http://www.ci.shrewsbury.ma.us/Sps/Schools/Central/Curriculum/lf7.html
#Science
This is a great site! Scroll down to the sections on invertebrates. It gives
lots of links from general information on invertebrates to sites on specific
phyla and examples of invertebrates.
Words 2 eXplore
sessile
bilateral symmetry
exoskeleton
external fertilization
gastrovascular cavity
radula
spiracle
mandible
metamorphosis
tube feet
symmetry
radial symmetry
endoskeleton
internal fertilization
medusa
gizzard
cephalothorax
Malpighian tubule
larva
regeneration
asymmetry
psuedocoelom
filter feeding
nematocysts
mantle
appendage
simple eye
chelicerae
pupa
tentacle
acoelom
coelom
hermaphrodite
polyp
nephridia
molting
compound eye
spinneret
nymph