Wonderful World of Invertebrates Webquest

Introduction:

Somewhere around 9 or 10 million species of animals inhabit the earth; the exact number is not known and even our estimates are very rough. Animals range in size from no more than a few cells to organisms weighing many tons, such as blue whales and giant squid. Most animals inhabit the seas, with fewer in fresh water and even fewer on land.


1.) Phylum Porifera: Sponges

Introduction to Porifera

Life History and Ecology

Phylum Porifera

Click here to see how sponges are built

Questions:
1. Describe how sponges feed. Make sure you include information about carnivorous sponges.
2. Explain what cellular-level organization means.
3. Draw and label the body plan of a sponge -OR- you may color and label the Sponge Anatomy handout.

2.) Cnidarians: Jellyfish, coral, hydra & sea anemones

Phylum Cnidaria

The Cnidarian Home Page

Introduction to the Cnidaria

Questions:

1. Explain what it means to have "tissue-level" organization.
2. How many openings are there to the Cnidarian's body? Give the two functions.
3. Tell how medusae and polyps are different from one another.
4. Explain how nematocysts work for Cnidarians.
5. Draw and label the body plan of a hydra -OR- you may color and label the Hydra Anatomy handout.


3.) Platyhelminthes: The Flatworms

Platyhelminthes

Questions:

1. Explain what bilateral symmetry is all about.
2. Explain how polyclad flatworms perform respiration.
3. Explain whether polyclad worms are male or female.
4. Draw and label a detailed picture of the anatomy of a flatworm -OR- you may complete the Phylum Platyhelminthes coloring page.

4.) Annelids: Segmented Worms

Introduction to the Annellida

Annelids have bodies that are segmented. Within the body of the segmented worm are rather elaborate and well developed systems of organs. There is a circulatory system with five "aortic arches" which act as a heart to keep the blood moving in the worm. There is a digestive tract that begins with a prostomium with a mouth, a muscular pharynx, an esophagus, a crop for storage of food, a gizzard for breaking food down (much as a stomach acts in humans) and a small intestine where the nutrients are absorbed into the blood for delivery to cells. There is a small brain on the dorsal side of the pharynx that connects to the ventral nerve cord that runs the length of the worm. Worms are hermaphroditic (have the organs that produce eggs and others which produce sperm). Earthworms have a clitellum that slips off of the
worm and becomes a brood chamber for developing young.

Questions:

1. How do annelids benefit the soil?
2. Draw and label a detailed picture of the anatomy of an annelid -OR- you may complete the Phylum Annelida coloring page.

5.) Mollusks: Soft-bodied Invertebrates

Pictures of Mollusks

Cephalopods

Gastropods

Bivalves

Questions:

1. Explain two adaptations of mollusks.
2. Explain what the mantle is and what it does for mollusks.
3. List the three main classes of mollusks and give a brief description of each group -OR- you may complete the worksheet titled Mollusk which compares the three classes.
4. Make a detailed drawing of squid anatomy -OR- you may complete the Squid Anatomy handout.


6.) Arthropods: Animals with Exoskeletons and Jointed Appendages


Phylum Arthropoda

Insects

Crustaceans

Questions:

1. Explain one reason arthropods are such a successful group of animals.
2. Read about the morphology of arthropods and describe at least 4 interesting adaptations of arthropods.
3. Explain how the circulatory system of a crustacean works.
4. Using the systematics section of the Uniramia go to "The Neoptera." Choose one specific insect and write a brief description of it.
5. Draw and label a picture that shows the body parts of a crustacean, arachnid or insect -OR- you may complete the Crayfish Anatomy handout.

7.) Echinoderms: Spiny-skinned Invertebrates

Types of Echinoderms

Introduction to the Echinoderms

Questions:

1. What are three ways you would be able to recognize an echinoderm if you found one in a tide pool?
2. Name four common types of echinoderms.
3. Explain why echinoderms are often called "living, moving castles."
4. Draw a picture of an echinoderm and label the parts -OR- you may complete the Phylum Echinodermata handout.


Make sure that you complete all parts of this webquest, and follow the guidelines given to you in the handout. Completeness, creativity, and attractiveness will all count towards your final grade. The more time and effort you put into this project the greater your reward.

Don't forget to include all of your dissections and handouts in the appropriate section of your book. Any coloring pages can be substituted for detailed drawings.