Ctenophores
are largely composed of jellylike material and water makes up more than
ninety-five percent of their weight. Their bodies have eight ctene rows
which are transverse rows of cilia that are fused together by a thin membrane.
The rhythmic beat of the ctene rows propel the animal through the water.
The statolith is a sensory structure containing a heavy granule which
allows the animal to swim mouth end forward. They may have a pair of long,
retractable tentacles that originate from sheaths on opposite sides of
the body. The tentacles have sticky cells called colloblasts that are
used to capture prey. The animalŐs mouth leads to the pharynx which then
opens into the stomach. Ctenophores feed on many different kinds of plankton.
Ctenophores
are largely composed of jellylike material and water makes up more than
ninety-five percent of their weight. Their bodies have eight ctene rows
which are transverse rows of cilia that are fused together by a thin membrane.
The rhythmic beat of the ctene rows propel the animal through the water.
The statolith is a sensory structure containing a heavy granule which
allows the animal to swim mouth end forward. They may have a pair of long,
retractable tentacles that originate from sheaths on opposite sides of
the body. The tentacles have sticky cells called colloblasts that are
used to capture prey. The animalŐs mouth leads to the pharynx which then
opens into the stomach. Ctenophores feed on many different kinds of plankton.