Question

What are the two body forms of Cnidarians?

Answer 1

Cnidaria:

1. Cnidaria phylum comes under the kingdom Animalia which consists of over 11000 species of aquatic animals.
2. This phylum is also referred to as the phylum Coelenterata.
3. Organisms of this phylum are found in both freshwater and marine water.
4. They all have tentacles with stinging cells to capture food.

The two basic body forms of Cnidarians are:

1. Polyp:

• Polypoid body is normally sessile.
• Many polyps or individually no more than a millimeter.
• Its mouth and tentacles are generally pointed up.
• Example- corals.

2. Medusa:

• Medusoid body is free-floating.
• It occurs only as solitary individuals with the mouth and tentacles generally pointed down.
• Example- jellyfish.