Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Internal Transport

In echinoderms, food, oxygen and wastes are transported by different systems. Gas exchange and the removal of metabolic wastes occur through the skin gills and tube feet found all over the body; while, nutrients are distributed by the digestive glands and the fluid within the body cavity.

The Water Vascular System
The water vascular system is an internal network of fluid-filled canals that are connected to the tube feet. In echinoderms, this system is involved in feeding, respiration, internal transport, excretion, as well as in movement.
So, how does the water vascular system work? This system opens to the outside through the madreporite, which is a sievelike structure. The madreporite connects to the ring canal, which is connected to five radial canals that extend into each body segment, and is attached to hundreds of tube feet. The water vascular system is able to propel water in and out of the tube feet, creating a partial vacuum that act like living suction cups.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Its helpful for my assignment