Platyhelminthes

Overview

Platyhelminthes also known as acoelomate flatworms are triploblastic organisms[1]. These flatworms can either be commensal or parasitic. These flatworms are divided into four different classes: Turbellaria, Monogenea, Trematoda and Cestoda.

Description

Platyhelminthes are Triploblastic which means that these organisms are composed of three fundamental cell layers. The three layers are derived from embryonic germ layers and are known as the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm[2]. These flatworms also have no body cavities other than their gut where they have a 2 way digestive system[1]. A two way digestive system means that their food and feces come out of the same orifice or opening.

Citations

[1] Introduction to the Platyhelminthes, ucmp.berkeley.edu/platyhelminthes/platyhelminthes.html.

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[2]Neupane, Laxmi, and Keerthana. “Phylum Platyhelminthes- Characteristics, Classification, Examples.” Microbe Notes, 25 Aug. 2020, microbenotes.com/phylum-platyhelminthes-flatworms/.