Science Starfish Glossary Vocabulary

Terms in this set (20)

toward or on the opposite side or end from the mouth. the aboral surface of a sea star is the functional upper surface

amburacral groove

the fissure along the midline of the oral surface of each arm of a sea star, where most of the tube feet are housed

the bulb atop each tube foot. the ampulla lies within the coelom while the attached tube foot projects through the body wall

one of the lateral projections from the central disc of a sea star of brittle star usually occurring in multiples of five; also called a ray

the central portion of a sea star from which the arms or rays radiate

dermal branchiae

papulae; tiny extensions from the sea star's coelomic cavity that project through the body wall. due to their function in gas exchange, they are sometimes called skin gills

a reproductive organ that produces sex cells

in sea stars the short tube connecting the pyloric stomach and the anus

sieve plate; the intake for the water vascular system of a sea star; found off center in the central disc

the functional lower surface of a sea star where the mouth is located

female gonad; produces ova

a tiny claw or pincer on the external surface of an echinoderm

portion of the water vascular system that runs from the ring canal along the midline of each arm of a sea star

radial symmetry

arrangement of body parts around a central axis

portion of the water vascular system that encircles the mouth; radial canals branch from it

madreporite; intake to the water vascular system in echinoderms

calcified portion of the water vascular system that connects the sieve plate with the ring canal

one of the paired male gonads that produces sperm

podia; extensions from echinoderm water vascular system; used in locomotion, food-gathering, and respiration

water vascular system

system of tubes derived from the coelom, unique to echinoderms, enabling them to use hydraulic pressue to aid in food gathering and/or locomotion

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