PORIFERA AND CNIDARIA

GERM LAYERS

PORIFERA

None

CNIDARIA

Two layers: Ectoderm Endoderm

SYMMETRY

PORIFERA

No symmetry

CNIDARIA

Radial symmetry

COELOM: A fluid filled cavity in the body

PORIFERA

Acoelomate

CNIDARIA

Acoelomate

*Acoelomate: No coelom

DIGESTIVE TRACT

PORIFERA

No digestive tract. They filter feed instead. They rely on maintaining a constant water flow through their bodies to obtain food and oxygen and to remove waste.

CNIDARIA

Gastro vascular (functions in both digestion and distribution of nutrients) with a saclike digestive system with one opening.

CEPHALIZATION

PORIFERA

None

CNIDARIA

None

SEGMENTATION

PORIFERA

None

CNIDARIA

None

SKELETON AND APPENDAGES

PORIFERA

Have a substance called mesohyl that acts as an endoskeleton; mesohyl is stiffened by mineral spicules.

No appendages

CNIDARIA Hydrostatic skeleton acts like a water-

filled balloon to support body Some jellyfish have appendages

known as “Oral arms” that hang from the bell near the mouth, and bring the captured prey to the mouth.

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

PORIFERA Don’t have a circulatory

system; rely on maintaining a constant water flow through their bodies to obtain oxygen and to remove waste.

CNIDARIA Cnidarians lack a circulatory system. All the cells of cnidarians are in contact with the water, which has all of the oxygen and nutrients the simple animals needs. The use for a circulatory system is to transfer oxygen and nutrients to all the cells of the body, and take away the waste.

RESPIATORY SYSTEM

PORIFERA

Gases are exchanged with the environment through diffusion across individual cell membranes

CNIDARIA

Same as porifera

REPRODUCTION

PORIFERA

Sexual Internal, most sponges are

hermaphrodites which gives them the ability to reproduce with any other sponge

Asexual Budding- attach or separate

from parent Fragmentation- break off and

become cold or dry and eventually become a new sponge

CNIDARIA

Sexual Asexual

budding

HABITAT

PORIFERA

Reef

CNIDARIA

Fresh and salt water Reefs