Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom
Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom
Chapter 4 Animal Kingdom
NOTES
Animals are multicellular and heterotrophic organisms without cell wall and chlorophyll. Kingdom Animalia
includes 11 major phyla:
1. Porifera
2. Cnidaria
3. Ctenophora
4. Platyhelminthes
5. Aschelminthes
6. Annelida
7. Arthropoda
8. Mollusca
9. Echinodermata
10. Hemichordata
11. Chordata
BASIS OF CLASSIFICATION
1. Levels of organization
Based on this, animals are grouped into four levels:
a. Cellular level of organization: Here, the cells are arranged as loose cell aggregates. E.g. Porifera.
b. Tissue level of organization: Here, the cells are arranged into tissues. E.g. Cnidarians and Ctenophores.
c. Organ level of organization: Here, tissues are arranged into organs. E.g. Higher animals (Platyhelminthes
to chordates).
d. Organ system level of organization: Here, organs are associated to organ system. Each system performs a
specific physiological function. E.g. Higher animals.
Organ systems of various animals show complexities. E.g.
Digestive system is 2 types:
o Incomplete: It has only a single opening that acts as mouth & anus. Seen in Cnidaria and Platyhelminthes.
o Complete: It has 2 openings (mouth & anus).
Circulatory system is 2 types: open & closed.
2. Body symmetry
It is the arrangement of similar body parts on 2 sides of main axis of the body. Based on symmetry, animals are
2 types: Asymmetrical and Symmetrical.
a. Asymmetrical: Here, body cannot be divided into 2 equal halves. E.g. Most Poriferans, Snails etc.
b. Symmetrical: Here, body can be divided into 2 equal halves. It is 2 types.
· Radial symmetry: Here, body can be divided into 2 equal halves in any vertical plane along central
axis (oral-aboral axis) of the body. E.g. some Poriferans, Cnidarians, Ctenophores and Echinoderms (adult).
· Bilateral symmetry: Here, body can be divided into right & left halves in only one plane.
E.g. Platyhelminthes to Chordata (except adult Echinodermata).
The body of bilaterally symmetrical animal has a dorsal side (upper), a ventral side (lower), left & right lateral
sides, anterior (cephalic) side and posterior (anal or tail) side.
3. Germinal layers (Embryonic layers)
These are layers of embryo from which all the body organs are formed. Based on the number of germ layers,
animals are 2 types- Diploblastic and Triploblastic.
a. Diploblastic animals: 2 germ layers- outer ectoderm and inner endoderm. In between these layers, an
undifferentiated jelly-like layer called mesoglea is present. E.g. Cnidaria & Ctenophora.
b. Triploblastic animals: 3 germ layers- Outer ectoderm, middle mesoderm and inner endoderm. E.g.
Platyhelminthes to Chordata.
4. Coelom (body cavity)
It is the cavity lined by mesoderm. It is seen between body wall and gut wall. Coelom separates the muscles of
gut and body wall.
Based on the nature of coelom, animals are 3 types:
a. Acoelomate: No coelom. The space between body wall and digestive cavity is filled with matrix
(parenchyma). E.g. Porifera to Platyhelminthes.
b. Pseudocoelomate: False coelom. Here, the body cavity is not lined by mesoderm. Mesoderm is scattered
pouches. E.g. Aschelminthes.
c. Coelomate: True coelom. Here, the coelom arises from the mesoderm. Coelom is lined by peritoneal layer
and filled with coelomic fluid. E.g. Annelida to Chordata.
Functions of coelom:
· It accommodates visceral organs.
· Coelomic fluid reduces friction between visceral organs.
· It acts as shock absorber.
5. Metamerism (segmentation)
It is the phenomenon in which the body or organs is externally and internally divided into repeated segments
(metameres). E.g. Annelids (earthworm etc.), Arthropods.
6. Notochord
It is a mesodermally derived supporting rod formed on the dorsal side during embryonic development in some
animals. Animals with notochord are called chordates and those without notochord are called non-chordates.
PHYLUM PORIFERA (SPONGES): GENERAL CHARACTERS
1. Grades of organization:
• Cellular grade.
2. Symmetry:
• Asymmetrical. Some are radial.
3. Coelom:
• Acoelomate
4. Habit and habitat:
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom
• External fertilization.
• Development is indirect.
10. Unique features:
• Tentacles with cnidoblasts.
• Tentacles: Finger-like structures which surrounds the mouth of coelenterates. Used for food capture
& defense.
• Cnidoblasts (Cnidocytes): These are stinging cells (present on the tentacles and the body) with a
poison-filled capsule called nematocyst. Cnidoblast is used for anchorage, defense and to capture prey.
• Exclusively marine.
• Solitary & pelagic
6. Digestive system:
• Incomplete.
• Intracellular & extracellular digestion.
7. Respiratory system:
• Absent
8. Circulatory system:
• Absent
9. Reproduction:
• Only Sexual.
• Hermaphrodite.
• External fertilization.
• Development is indirect.
10. Unique features:
• Locomotion is by 8 vertical external rows of ciliated comb plates.
• Tentacles present.
• Shows Bioluminescence (property to emit light from the body).
11. Examples:
• Ctenoplana, Pleurobrachia.
PHYLUM PLATYHELMINTHES (FLATWORMS): GENERAL CHARACTERS
1. Grades of organization:
• Organ & Organ system.
2. Symmetry:
• Bilateral symmetry.
3. Germ layers:
• Triploblastic.
4. Coelom:
• Acoelomate
5. Habit and habitat:
• Mainly aquatic. Endoparasites.
• Some are free-living.
6. Digestive system:
• Incomplete.
7. Respiratory system:
• Absent
8. Circulatory system:
• Absent
9. Reproduction:
• Asexual (fragmentation) and Sexual.
• Hermaphrodite.
• Internal Fertilization.
• Development is indirect.
• Many larval stages.
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom
3. Germ layers:
• Triploblastic.
4. Coelom:
• Coelomate.
5. Habit and habitat:
• Terrestrial, fresh water or marine. Free living or parasitic.
6. Digestive system:
• Complete.
7. Respiratory system:
• Cutaneous respiration. Some have branchial (gill) respiration.
8. Circulatory system:
• Closed type.
9. Reproduction:
• Sexual.
• Earthworms & leeches are monoecious.
• Neries is dioecious.
• Development is direct or indirect.
10. Unique features:
• Segmentation like rings.
• Longitudinal and circular muscles help in locomotion.
• Locomotory organs are setae (in earthworm) or parapodia (in Neries).
• Excretion by Nephridia.
• Paired ganglia connected by lateral nerves to a double ventral nerve cord.
11. Examples:
• Pheretima (earthworm), Hirudinaria (blood sucking Leech), Neries (aquatic. Parapodia for
swimming).
PHYLUM ARTHROPODA (JOINT-LEGGED ANIMALS): GENERAL CHARACTERS
Arthropoda is the largest phylum. Over two-thirds of all named species are arthropods.
Grades of organization:
• Organ system.
2. Symmetry:
• Bilateral symmetry.
3. Germ layers:
• Triploblastic.
4. Coelom:
• Coelomate.
5. Habit and habitat:
• Cosmopolitan.
6. Digestive system:
• Complete.
7. Respiratory system:
• Gills/ book gills/ trachea/book lungs.
8. Circulatory system:
• Open type.
9. Reproduction:
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom
• Mostly dioecious.
• Usually internal fertilization.
• Mostly oviparous.
• Development is direct or indirect.
10. Unique features:
• Jointed appendages.
• Body has 3 regions: head, thorax & abdomen.
• Body is covered by chitinous cuticle (exoskeleton).
• Excretion by Malpighian tubules.
• Sensory organs are antennae, compound & simple eyes, statocysts (balance organs).
11. Examples:
• Spider, Scorpion, Crab, Prawn, Insects etc.
• Economically important insects: Apis, Bombyx, Laccifer.
• Vectors: Mosquitoes (Anopheles, Culex & Aedes), Housefly etc.
• Gregarious pest: Locusta.
• Living fossil: Limulus (King crab).
PHYLUM MOLLUSCA (SOFT BODIED ANIMALS): GENERAL CHARACTERS
• Organ system.
• Symmetry:
• Bilateral.
• Germ layers:
• Triploblastic.
• Coelom:
• Coelomate.
• Habit and habitat:
• Exclusively marine.
• Digestive system:
• Complete.
• Respiratory system:
• Gills.
• Circulatory system:
• Open type.
• Reproduction:
• Dioecious.
• External fertilization.
• Development is indirect.
• Unique features:
• Worm-like cylindrical body formed of anterior proboscis, a collar and a long trunk.
• Collar bears stomochord (a rudimentary structure similar to notochord).
• Excretion by Proboscis gland.
• Examples:
• Balanoglossus (Tongue worm), Saccoglossus.
PHYLUM CHORDATA
• It includes animals with notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord and pharyngeal gill slits.
• Notochord is a flexible rod located in the mid dorsal line between the alimentary canal and the nerve
cord in the embryo.
• Differences between Chordata and Non-Chordata
•
Chordata Non-Chordata
1. Notochord is found in the
Absent
embryonic stage.
2. Central nervous system is
Ventral, solid and double
dorsal, hollow and single
3. Pharyngeal gill slits present Absent
4. Ventral heart Dorsal heart (if present)
5. A post-anal part (tail) is
Absent
present
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom
CLASS CYCLOSTOMATA
• All are ectoparasites on some fishes.
• Elongated body without scales and paired fins.
• 6-15 pairs of gill slits for respiration.
• Sucking and circular mouth without jaws.
• Cartilaginous cranium and vertebral column.
• Circulation is closed type.
• Marine, but migrate for spawning to fresh water. After spawning, they die. Their larvae, after
metamorphosis, return to ocean.
• E.g. Petromyzon (Lamprey) and Myxine (Hagfish).
SUPERCLASS PISCES (FISHES)
Class Chondricthyes (Cartilaginous fishes)
• Marine. Stream-lined body. Predaceous.
• Cartilaginous endoskeleton.
• Notochord is persistent throughout life.
• Ventral mouth.
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom
NCERT SOLUTIONS
Question 1: What are the difficulties that you would face in classification of animals, if common
fundamental features are not taken into account?
ANSWER: For the classification of living organisms, common fundamental characteristics are considered.
If we consider specific characteristics, then each organism will be placed in a separate group and the entire
objective of classification would not be achieved.
Classification of animals is also important in comparing different organisms and judging their individual
evolutionary significance. If only a single characteristic is considered, then this objective would not be achieved.
Question 2: If you are given a specimen, what are the steps that you would follow to classify it?
ANSWER: There is a certain common fundamental feature that helps in classification of living organisms. The
features that can be used in classification are as follows.
On the basis of above features, we can easily classify a specimen into its respective category.
Question 3: How useful is the study of the nature of body cavity and coelom in the classification of animals?
ANSWER: Coelom is a fluid filled space between the body wall and digestive tract. The presence or absence of
body cavity or coelom plays a very important role in the classification of animals. Animals that possess a fluid
filled cavity between body wall and digestive tract are known as coelomates. Annelids, mollusks, arthropods,
echinodermates, and chordates are examples of coelomates. On the other hand, the animals in which the body
cavity is not lined by mesoderm are known as pseudocoelomates. In such animals, mesoderm is scattered in
between ectoderm and endoderm. Aschelminthes is an example of pseudocoelomates. In certain animals, the
body cavity is absent. They are known as acoelomates. An example of acoelomates is platyhelminthes.
Question 6: What are the peculiar features that you find in parasitic platyhelminthes?
ANSWER: Taenia (Tapeworm) and Fasciola (liver fluke) are examples of parasitic platyhelminthes.
Peculiar features in parasitic platyhelminthes are as follows.
1. They have dorsiventrally flattened body and bear hooks and suckers to get attached inside the body of the host.
2. Their body is covered with thick tegument, which protects them from the action of digestive juices of the host.
3. The tegument also helps in absorbing nutrients from the host’s body.
Question 7: What are the reasons that you can think of for the arthropods to constitute the largest group
of the animal kingdom?
ANSWER: The phylum, Arthropoda, consists of more than two-thirds of the animal species on earth. The reasons
for the success of arthropods are as follows.
i. Jointed legs that allow more mobility on land
ii. Hard exoskeleton made of chitin that protects the body
iii. The hard exoskeleton also reduces water loss from the body of arthropods making them more adapted to
terrestrial conditions.
Question 8: Water vascular system is the characteristic of which group of the following:
(a) Porifera (b) Ctenophora (c) Echinodermata (d) Chordata
ANSWER: Water vascular system is a characteristic feature of the phylum, Echinodermata. It consists of an
array of radiating channels, tube feet, and madreporite. The water vascular system helps in locomotion, food
capturing, and respiration.
Question 9: “All vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not vertebrates”. Justify the statement.
ANSWER: The characteristic features of the phylum, Chordata, include the presence of a notochord and paired
pharyngeal gill slits. In sub-phylum Vertebrata, the notochord present in embryos gets replaced by a cartilaginous
or bony vertebral column in adults. Thus, it can be said that all vertebrates are chordates but all chordates are not
vertebrates.
Question 11: What are the modifications that are observed in birds that help them fly?
ANSWER: Birds have undergone many structural adaptations to suit their aerial life. Some of these adaptations
are as follows.
(i) Streamlined body for rapid and smooth movement
(ii) Covering of feathers for insulation
(iii) Forelimbs modified into wings and hind limbs used for walking, perching, and swimming
(iv) Presence of pneumatic bones to reduce weight
(v) Presence of additional air sacs to supplement respiration
Question 12: Could the number of eggs or young ones produced by an oviparous and viviparous mother
be equal? Why?
ANSWER: The numbers of eggs produced by an oviparous mother will be more than the young ones produced
by a viviparous mother. This is because in oviparous animals, the development of young ones takes place outside
Shayar Singh, PGT – Biology. Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khargone
Class XI Subject: Biology Chapter 4: Animal Kingdom
the mother’s body. Their eggs are more prone to environmental conditions and predators. Therefore, to overcome
the loss, more eggs are produced by mothers so that even under harsh environmental conditions, some eggs might
be able to survive and produce young ones. On the other hand, in viviparous organisms, the development of
young ones takes place in safe conditions inside the body of the mother. They are less exposed to environmental
conditions and predators. Therefore, there are more chances of their survival and hence, less number of young
ones is produced compared to the number of eggs.
Question 13: Segmentation in the body is first observed in which of the following:
(a) Platyhelminthes (b) Aschelminthes (c) Annelida (d) Arthropoda
ANSWER: The body segmentation first appeared in the phylum, Annelida (annulus meaning little ring).
Question 15: Prepare a list of some animals that are found parasitic on human beings.
ANSWER:
S. No. Name of organism Phylum
1 Taenia solium Platyhelminthes
2 Fasciola hepatica Platyhelminthes
3 Ascaris lumbricoides Aschelminthes
4 Wuchereria bancrofti Aschelminthes
5 Ancyclostoma Aschelminthes