Question

The animals having soft bodies with shell as a covering belongs to
A. Echinodermata
B. Mollusca
C. Porifera
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The molluscs have a calcareous shell covering the body. However, a soft and spongy layer of skin is present over the visceral hump of molluscs, forming the mantle.

Complete answer:
Molluscs belong to phylum Mollusca of invertebrates. They are characterized by their soft body. Their body can be divided into three parts: a head, a body and a foot. Due to their soft body molluscs have evolved to possess many protective features as well.
These include the presence of a hard shell (but not all of them have a shell).
Molluscs such as clams, oysters, snails, mussels, and scallops all have shells.
The hard shell protects them from predators.
Additionally, some molluscs have adopted camouflage to protect themselves. There are some molluscs that use poison to paralyze their attackers (like cone snails and octopus).

Additional information: Mollusks can be divided into seven classes:
Aplacophora, Monoplacophora, Polyplacophora, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Cephalopoda, and Scaphopoda.
These classes are differentiated by, among other criteria, the presence and types of shells they possess.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B. Mollusca.

Note: The soft body makes it difficult for molluscs to adhere to the substratum in terrestrial and in marine habitats as well.