Question

Sea anemone belongs to which of the following phylum?
a.Protozoa
b.Porifera
c.Coelenterata
d.Echinodermata

Answer 1

Hint: Sea anemone is free-swimming marine animals. They have a soft and simple body made up of only two germ layers. They also have a central gut cavity in which the mouth leads to the gut.

Complete Answer:
Let us analyze each option to find out the correct answer.

Option a: Protozoa are usually single-celled and heterotrophic organisms. They reproduce asexually by fission, schizogony, or budding. They possess a true or membrane-bound, nucleus. They have contractile vacuole for osmoregulation and help to get rid of excess water. Asexual reproduction occurs by binary fission and multiple fission. For example, Amoeba. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Option b: Porifera is an aquatic, mostly marine organism. They are pore-bearing multicellular animals. They exhibit holozoic nutrition. The body is radially symmetrical and possesses no organs. One of the unique characteristic features of Phylum Porifera is that they can regenerate their lost parts. For example, sponges. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Option c: Sea anemone is radially symmetrical, diploblastic sessile, marine organisms. Sea anemones are classified in the phylum Coelenterata, class Anthozoa, subclass Hexacorallia. They exhibit a tissue-level organization. Their mouth is surrounded by sensory tentacles, which helps to capture their prey. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option d: Echinodermata is a marine invertebrate animal. They exhibit organ level of organization. Some of the characteristics of echinoderms are triploblastic, spiny skinned, the skeleton is made up of calcium carbonate. For example, Asterias. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Hence , the correct answer is option C. Coelenterata.

Note: It is to be noted that Coelenterates are also called Cnidarians because they contain specialized cells called cnidoblasts. These cells are explosive in nature as they contain one giant secretory organelle which is known as cnidocyst which stings the other organism.