Somewhere around 9 or 10 million species of animals inhabit the earth; the 
exact number is not known and even our estimate are very rough. Animals 
range in size from no more than a few cells to organisms weighing many tons,
such as blue whales and giant squid. Most animals inhabit the seas, with 
fewer in fresh water and even fewer on land. 
Search the Marine Species Data Base
 

Living things are classified in a hierarchical taxonomy. The basic levels of this hierarchy are: 

Kingdom 
        Phylum 
                Class 
                        Order 
                                Family 
                                        Genus 
                                                Species 

A popular mnemonic to remember the above list is 
"King Phillip Came Over From Germany Stoned". 

TASK:  You must learn to say these seven levels of classification in 
their proper order.  *

 * I recommend that you say them OUT LOUD and OVER and OVER . 
    Before you know it, you will have them  memorized in a very useful form. 
    (you will KNOW them!!!) 
 

3.) The body plan of a sponge (as seen on "how sponges are built"
      link above)

1.)  Explain  what bilateral symmetry is all about. 

 Click here to see the parts of a flatworm.
 (Scroll down from the first image you see to find a more complete drawing of 
  the anatomy) 

2.)  Draw a picture of either: 
      a.) The parts of a flatworm 
      b.) One of the flatworms found on this link. 
 

3.) Make a detailed drawing of the Squid anatomy

Annelids Resources


  Annelids have bodies that are segmented.  Within the body of the segmented
worm are rather elaborate and well developed systems of organs.  There is a circulatory system with five "aortic arches" which act as a heart to keep 
the blood moving in the worm.  There is a digestive tract that begins with a prostomium with a mouth, a  muscular pharynx,  an esophagus, a crop for 
storage of food, a gizzard for breaking food down (much as a stomach acts in humans) and a small intestine where the nutrients are absorbed into the blood 
for delivery to cells.  There is a small brain on the dorsal side of the pharynx 
that connects to the ventral nerve cord that runs the length of the worm. 
Worms are hermaphroditic (have the organs that produce eggs and others 
which produce sperm).  Earthworms have a clitellum that slips off of the
worm and becomes a brood chamber for developing young. 

Try to find Internet Resources to answer the following questions. 

  1.)  What are three ways you would be able to recognize an echinoderm if you 
         found one at the tide pools.
  2.)  What factors influence how fast they grow and how big 
         echinoderms become.
  3.)  Name four common types of echinoderm.
  4.)  What is the maximum age of echinoderms?
  5.)  In your Invertebrate book, draw a picture of an echinoderm and
        label the parts 
 

  Click here to find out about the Crown of Thorns Starfish that is threatening the 
  world's coral reefs. 
 

  1.)  Explain one reason that arthropods are such a  wildly successful group of 
        animals. 
  2.)  Read about the morphology of arthropods and tell 7 interesting 
        adaptations of appendages in arthropods. 
  3.)  What other phylum is closely related to arthropods? (Explain your answer) 

 1.)  What is the deadliest animal in the world? (deadlier than what?) 

Click here to find out about mosquitos  | Mosquito Information | Mosquito Links

  1.)  Why does a rainy season set the stage for a mosquito infestation? 
  2.)  Explain the life cycle of mosquitos. 
  3.)  What can you do if you want to reduce the mosquito population? 

Click here to find out about centipedes and millipedes
Use Encarta On-line Encyclopedia to find out about Centepedes

Play a Centepede Game - Requires Jav enable browser

 4.) Draw a picture in your Invertebrate Book that either: 

a.) Shows the life cycle of the mosquito 
b)  Shows the body parts of a crustacean, arachnid or insect