Question

Study of the (molluscan) shelf is called
(a)Malacology
(b)Conchology
(c)Ethology
(d)Serology

Answer 1

Hint The mantle is the organ that forms the shell, and adds to the shell to extend its size and strength as the animal grows. Scientists researching molluscan shelf mainly deal with four molluscan orders which are the gastropods (snails), bivalves (clams), Polyplacophora (chitons), and Scaphopoda (tusk shells).

Complete answer:
Conchology is the study of mollusc shells. It contains the detailed examination of land as well as freshwater mollusc shells additionally as seashells and expands to the study of a gastropod's operculum. Conchology is now sometimes seen as an archaic study because counting on just one aspect of an organism's morphology is often misleading. However, a shell often gives a minimum of some insight into molluscan taxonomy, and historically the shell was often the sole part of exotic species that were available for study. Even in current museum collections, it's common for the dry material (shells) to greatly exceed the quantity of fabric that's preserved whole in alcohol.

Additional information:
The organisms belonging to Mollusca exhibit the subsequent characteristics:
1. They're mostly found in marine and freshwater. Only a few are terrestrial and located in moist soil.
2. They exhibit the organ system level of organization.
3. Their body features a cavity.
4. The body is split into the head, visceral mass, muscular foot, and mantle.
5. The top comprises tentacles and compound eyes.
6. The body is roofed by a calcareous shell.
7. The muscular foot helps in locomotion.
8. They need a well-developed gastrointestinal system, the radula is a rasping organ for feeding.
9. They respire through the overall body surface, gills, or pulmonary sac.
10. The blood circulates through the open cardiovascular system.
Malcology is the branch of zoology, which mainly takes up the study of molluscs. Ethology is the science of human behavior. Serology is the study of the scientific study or diagnostic examination of serum.

So, the correct answer is ‘Conchology’.

Note: An individual that studies sea shells is called a conchologist. Many museums worldwide include much large and scientifically essential mollusc collections. The most important assemblage of mollusc shells is housed at the Smithsonian Institution, which has c. 1 million lots representing perhaps 50,000 species. Mollusca is the second largest phylum. A couple of molluscs like Unio possess green glands which mimic the liver in vertebrates. They possess osphradia to check the chemical nature of water.