Term
|
Definition
| A member of a major lineage of eukaryotes (Animalia) whose members typically have a complex, large, multicellular body; eat other organisms; and are mobile. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An animal body pattern in which one plane of symmetry divides the body into a left side and a right side. Typically, the body is long and narrow, with a distinct head end and tail end. Compare with radial symmetry |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A member of a major lineage of animals (Bilateria) that are bilaterally symmetrical at some point in their life cycle, have three embryonic germ layers, and have a coelom. All protostomes and deuterostomes are bilaterians. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (adjective: carnivorous) An animal whose diet consists predominantly of meat, or other animals. Most members of the mammalian taxon Carnivora are carnivores. Some plants are carnivorous, trapping and killing small animals and then absorbing nutrients from the prey's body. Compare with herbivore |
|
|
Term
| central nervous system (CNS) |
|
Definition
| Large numbers of neurons aggregated into clusters called ganglia in bilaterian animals. In vertebrates, the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. Compare with nerve net |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The formation in animals of a distinct anterior region (the head) where sense organs and a mouth are clustered. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An internal, usually fluid-filled body cavity that is completely or partially lined with mesoderm. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An organism whose diet consists mainly of dead organic matter (detritus). Various bacteria, fungi, protists, and animals are detritivores. Also called decomposer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (adjective: diploblastic) An animal whose body develops from two basic embryonic cell layers or tissues—ectoderm and endoderm. Compare with triploblast. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A major lineage of protostomes (Ecdysozoa) that grow by shedding their external skeletons (molting) and expanding their bodies. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the outermost of the three basic cell layers in most animals embryos; gives rise to the outer covering and nervous system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A parasite that lives on the outer surface of the host's body. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| the innermost of the three basic cell layers in most animasl embryos gives rise to the digestive tract and organs that connect with it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A parasite that lives inside the host's body. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (plural: epithelia) An animal tissue consisting of sheetlike layers of tightly packed cells that line an organ, a gland, a duct, or a body surface. Also called epithelial tissue. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (plural: ganglia) A mass of neurons in a centralized nervous system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (adjective: herbivorous) An animal that eats primarily plants and rarely or never eats meat. Compare with carnivore and omnivore. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A paraphyletic group composed of animals without a backbone; |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A major lineage of protostomes (Lophotrochozoa) that grow by extending the size of their skeletons rather than by molting. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| in most animal embryos; gives rise to muscles, bones, blood, and some internal organs |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An animal body pattern that has at least two planes of symmetry. Typically, the body is in the form of a cylinder or disk, and the body parts radiate from a central hub. Compare with bilateral symmetry. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| (adjective: triploblastic) An animal whose body develops from three basic embryonic cell layers or tissues: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Compare with diploblast. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| One of the three major chordate lineages (Vertebrata), comprising animals with a dorsal column of cartilaginous or bony structures (vertebrae) and a skull enclosing the brain. Includes fishes, amphibians, mammals, and reptiles (including birds). Compare with cephalochordates and urochordates. |
|
|
