Platyhelminthes and Nematoda

Platyhelminthes, Nematoda, and Rotifera Lab

Flatworms (Platyhelminthes) Lab Station 1 - Turbellarian 1. Observe the Planaria in the microscope. Draw a picture of the organism and label the pharynx, and eyespots. 2. a.)Look at the picture of the cross section of Dugesia (a planarian). Describe the structure labeled “A” and what that structure is used for. b.) Look at the picture of the Planarian Cross Section. Describe the function of the structure labeled “B”.

Lab Station 2 - Trematoda 3. Observe the Clonorchis specimen in the microscope. Draw a picture of the Liver Fluke and label the Anterior end, Posterior end, and suckers. 4. Look at the picture of the Liver Fluke and describe the function of the structure labeled “E”.

Lab Station 3 - Cestoda 5. Observe the Moniezia tapeworm specimen under the microscope. Draw a picture of the Scolex, and one Proglottid. Identify the hooks and suckers on the Scolex 6. Observe the whole tapeworm. Sketch a picture of a general tapeworm organism.

Rotifera and Nematoda (Roundworms) Lab Station 4 7. Observe the Rotifers in the microscope. Draw a picture of one organism and label the cilia, mastax, and cloaca. 8. Observe the Nematoda in the jar. Sketch it’s appearance, be sure to note the two ends tapered shape.

Analysis Questions 1. Why is a well developed nervous system important for an active, predatory animal?

2. What is the structure Turbellarians use for ingesting food?

3. How do the free-living Turbellarians move?

4. What structure do the Trematodes have that protects them from digestion?

5. Why are attachment structures necessary in a parasite? What are the attachment structures for the Trematoda? Cestoda?

6. Describe the basic life cycle of a fluke. Be sure to include where sexual reproduction occurs and where asexual reproduction occurs.

7. Describe the different modes of attachment in Cestoda and Trematoda.