Question

Name the respiratory organ in phylum hemichordata.

Answer 1

Phylum Hemichordata:

1. Respiration in hemichordate takes place by gills-slits. Respiration is the biochemical process of oxidising the nutrients, mainly glucose to release energy in the form of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate).
2. Gills pores are located on each side of the trunk dorsolaterally.
3. These pores open from a series of gill chambers that are connected with gill slits which are on the sides of the pharynx.
4. The water moving from the mouth, pharynx and out the gills silts, helps in the gaseous exchange.
5. Animals belonging to this phylum are marine, bilaterally symmetrical, triploblastic and coelomate.
6. They have an open circulatory system in which organs bathe directly with oxygen and nutrients.
7. Their body is divided into an anterior proboscis, a short collar and a long trunk.
8. Example: Balanoglossus (tongue worm) and cephalodiscus.