Mollusks Ch. 13, pgs. 364-368 368
Characteristics of Mollusks Mollusks have Bilateral Symmetry Most mollusks live in water, but some live on land. Examples of mollusks are snails, clams, and squids.
Body Plan All mollusks have a layer of tissue called the mantle. A mantle is a thin layer of tissue that covers a mollusks body organs; secretes the shell or protects the body of mollusks without shells. The shell is made up of several layers. The inside layer is the smoothest and thickest layer of the shell.
Body Plan Between the soft body and the mantle is a space called the mantle cavity. It contains gills the organs in which carbon dioxide from the mollusk is exchanged for oxygen in the water.
Body Plan Mollusks have an open circulatory system,, which means the heart moves blood through vessels and out into open spaces around the body organs.
Body Plan Mollusks have a well developed head with a mouth and some sensory organs. On the underside of a mollusk is the muscular foot,, which is used for movement.
Classification of Mollusks Three most common groups of mollusks are gastropods, bivalves,, and cephalopods.
Gastropods Slug Snail
Gastropods Body Plan All Gastropods except for slugs have a single shell. Many have a pair of tentacles with eyes at the tips. Gastropods use a radula a a tongue like organ with rows of teeth to to obtain food.
Gastropod Characteristics Slugs and many snails are adapted to life on land. They move by the contractions of their muscular foot.
Gastropod Characteristics Slugs and snails are most active at night or on cloudy days. Slugs are protected by a mucus layer while snails are protected by a shell. Slugs and land snails eat plant leaves and stems.
Bivalves Scallops Clams Oysters Mussels
Bivalves Body Plan Bivalves are mollusks that have a hinged two-part shell joined by strong muscles. Bivalves pull their shell closed by contracting powerful muscles near the hinge. To open the shell, they relax their muscles.
Bivalve Adaptations Bivalves are adapted to live in water. Clams burrow deep into the sand by moving their muscular foot. Mussels and oysters attach themselves with a strong thread or cement to a solid surface.
Bivalve Adaptations Scallops escape predators by rapidly opening and closing their shells. YouTube - Queenie Scallop swimming
Cephalopods Cephalopods are the most specialized and complex mollusks. Cephalopods include: Octopus Squid Nautilus
Cephalopods Body Plan The word cephalopod means head- footed. Cephalopods have a well developed head. Their foot is divided into many tentacles with strong suction cups or hooks for capturing prey.
Cephalopods Body Plan Squids and octopi have a well-developed nervous system and large eyes. Unlike other mollusks, cephalopods have a closed circulatory system. In a closed circulatory system, blood containing food and oxygen moves through the body in a series of closed vessels.
Cephalopods All cephalopods are predators. They feed on fish, crustaceans, worms, and other mollusks.
Cephalopod Propulsion All cephalopods live in the ocean and are adapted to swimming. Squid and other cephalopods have a water-filled cavity between an outer muscular covering and its internal organs.
Cephalopod Propulsion When a cephalopod tightens its muscular covering, water is forced out through an opening near the head. The jet of water propels the cephalopod backwards and it moves away quickly.
Value of Mollusks Mollusks are used for food. Hermit crabs use empty mollusk shells for shelter. Mollusk shells are used for jewelry and decoration. Mollusk shells also provide information about the conditions in an ecosystem.
Mollusk Problems Land slugs and snails damage plants. Certain species of snails are host to human parasites. Shipworms make holes in submerged boats. Mollusks can filter bad bacteria. Eating these mollusks can cause food poisoning.