Question

Cnidarians exhibit two basic body forms. What are they? How do they differ from each other? Give one examples in each.

Answer 1

A Cnidarian can have one of two basic body types, polypoid or medusoid. The polypoid is the configuration of corals and anemones, with the tentacles and mouth generally facing up, and the other side affixed to a substrate or connected to a colony of other creatures of the same species. In the Medusoid form, the organism is essentially upside-down, with the mouth and tentacles generally pointed down. These types of Cnidarians are usually free-swimmers, like jellyfish.