blastula: embryonic stage in most animals consisting of a single layer of cells

surrounding a hollow cavity

gastrula: emybronic stage following the blastula that has an inner and outer cell layer
larva: immature form of an animal that looks different from the adult form
metamorphosis: complete change of body form in some animals from a larva to an adult
invertebrate: member of a group of animals without a backbone
vertebrate: animal with a backbone
sponge: member of a group of animals that lack true tissues and organs
collar cell: flagellated cell in a sponge's inner layer
amoebocyte: cell found in sponges and other animals that may digest and distribute food,
dispose of wastes, and change into other cell types
sessile: anchored in place
cnidarian: member of a group of invertebrates with radial symmetry and tentacles with
stinging cells
radial symmetry: body plan in which an organism can be divided into equal parts
around a central axis
cnidocyte: specialized cell in cnidarians that functions in defense and capturing prey
nematocyst: stinging capsule found in a cnidocyte
gastrovascular cavity: digestive sac
polyp: cnidarian body form consisting of a cylindrical body with tentacles radiating from
one end
medusa: cnidarian body form that is umbrella-shaped with fringes of tentacles
flatworm: member of a group of small, leaflike or ribbonlike invertebrates that includes
planarians
bilateral symmetry: body plan in which an animal can be divided into two equal sides
roundworm: member of a group of cylindrical invertebrates with pointed heads and
tapered tails
complete digestive tract: continuous digestive tube with a separate mouth and anus
rotifer: member of a group of invertebrates with a complete digestive tract and a crown
of rotating cilia
annelid: segmented worm
closed circulatory system: blood transport system in which blood remains enclosed in
vessels, and nutrients, oxygen, and wastes diffuse through vessel walls
acoelomate: animal lacking a body cavity
pseudocoelom: fluid-filled internal space that is in direct contact with the wall of the
digestive tract
coelom: fluid-filled body cavity completely lined by a layer of mesoderm cells
echinoderm: member of a group of marine invertebrates that includes sea urchins and
sea stars
endoskeleton: skeleton located inside the body; characteristic of all vertebrates and some
invertebrates
water vascular system: in echinoderms, a network of water-filled canals that function in
movement, food gathering, and as a basic circulatory system
tube feet: in echinoderms, structures that are part of the water vascular system and
function in locomotion, feeding, and gas exchange
protostome: member of a group of organisms with a coelom that develops from a solid
cell mass in the embryo, such as mollusks, annelids, and arthropods
deuterostome: member of a group of organisms that includes echinoderms and chordates
in which the coelom forms from part of the early embryo's digestive tube
Cambrian explosion: burst of diverse animal species originating during the Cambrian
period