ZOO 1010 Study Guide
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 – Cnidarians and Ctenophores
1. What is the basis of the phylum name “Cnidaria”?
2. distinguish between a cnidocyte and nematocyst
3. How basically does a nematocyst work?
4. What are the specific habitats in which cnidarians are found?
5. What are the dimorphic forms of cnidarians? Which reproduce asexually? Which produce sexually?
6. What is monoecious vs. dioecious?
7. What is polymorphism? examples?
8. How do cnidarians digest food?
9. What cell layers do cnidarians possess?
10. What are epitheliomuscular cells?
11. What is the basic structure of a cnidarians nervous system?
12. What are the basic characteristics of the Class Hydrozoa? examples of species?
13. How do Hydra reproduce asexually and sexually?
14. For colonial hydrozoans, like Obelia, identify/describe the various parts of its life cycle.
15. How are hydrozoan medusae characterized?
16. What are the basic characteristics of the Class Scyphozoa? examples of species?
17. How are scyphozoan medusae characterized?
18. Identify/describe the various parts of a scyphozoan life cycle, like that of Aurelia. What is strobilation?
19. What are the basic characteristics of the Class Cubozoa? examples of species?
20. What are the basic characteristics of the Class Anthozoa? examples of species?
21. Distinguish between the Zoantheria (Hexacorallia) and the Octocorallia (Alcyonaria).
22. What are acontia threads found in sea anemones and corals? What is a siphonoglyph?
23. What comprises the skeletons of hard vs. flexible (aka, soft or “horny”) corals?
24. What are the importances and functions of coral reefs? Where are coral reefs found and why?
25. What is mutualistic symbiotic zooxanthellae?
26. Identify/describe the various parts of the zoantherian coral life cycle. What are the growth rates of corals?
27. What is coral bleaching? What other things threaten the health of coral reefs?
28. What are the basic characteristics of ctenophores (comb jellies), the Phylum Ctenophora? How are they
different than cnidarians? What is the basis of the ctenophore name?
29. How do comb jellies feed?
30. What is bioluminescence?
Key Terms – cnidae, cnidocytes, nematocysts, cnidocil, radial symmetry, polyp, medusa, umbrella, diploblastic,
gastrovascular cavity, gastrodermis, tentacle, mesoglea, dimorphism, polymorphism, gastrozooid, dactylozooid,
gonozooid, budding, fission, fragmentation, planula, epitheliomuscular cells, hypostome, gonangia, velum,
manubrium, statocysts, ocelli, hydrocorals, rhopalium, lappets, oral lobes, radial canals, scyphistoma, strobilation,
strobili, ephyrae, pedalium, velarium, oral disc, pharynx, calcium carbonate, gorgonin, siphonoglyph, acontia, coral
bleaching, zooxanthellae, colloblasts, comb plates, ctene
Note: This study guide may not be all inclusive of material covered. The student is responsible for learning all
material covered in lecture and as expected as part of this course.