INVERTBRATE ANIMALS BEN218

Learn about the richness and diversity of invertebrates with this speciality course.

Unlike their vertebrate counterparts, invertebrates are not a single phylum of animals. In this course, you'll study microscopic and macroscopic phyla, discuss the significance of particular orders such as coleoptera, diptera, and hymenoptera, and more.

In this course, you'll learn basic anatomy for many invertebrates, study unusual characteristics and their effect on the organisms, and complete research and assignments designed to further your learning.

There are 9 lessons in this course:

Scope and Nature of Invertebrate Animals
- Introduction
- Significance to humans
- Comparative studies - invertebrate animals
- Important terminology
- Overview of Invertebrate Phyla
- Microscopic phyla -Tardigrada, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera, Placozoa
- Worms - Acanthocephala, Annelida, Hemichordata, etc
- Corals and relatives - Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Ectoprocta, Porifera
- Echinoderms and Molluscs - Echinodermata, Mollusca, Brachiopoda
- Complex Invertebrates - Arthropoda
Microscopic Animals
- Protozoa or Animalia
- Phylum Nematoda
- Mites
- Phylum Tardigrada
- Adaptability and Survival
- Anhydrobiosis
- Cysts
- Phylum Kinorhycha
- Phylum Loricifera
- Phylum Placozoa
Worms & Worm-Like Animals
- True worms vs Worm-like organisms
- Worm evolution
- Bilateral symmetry
- Cephalisation
- Body organisation
- Characteristics and systems showing complexity
- Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)
- Free living flatworms
- Parasitic flatworms
- Significance to Humans - Liver fluke, blood flukes, tapeworms
- Beef tapeworm
- Phylum Nematoda (Roundworms)
- Phylum Annelida (Segmented Worms)
- Other Worm Like Animals - Acorn worms, ribbon worms, Spiny headed worms, etc.
- Coelomate Worms
Sponges, Corals, Anemones, Jellyfish
- Introduction
- Phylum Cnidaria
- Hydrozoa
- Scyphozoa
- Cubozoa
- Anthozoa
- Cnidaria and Humans
- Phylum Ctenophora
- Phylum Porifera - Location, Internal & External Structures, Reproduction, Toxicity
- Classes within Porifera
- Finding food
Molluscs and Echinoderms
- Phylum Echinodermata
- Crinoidea - Sea Lilies and Feather Stars
- Ophiuroidea -Brittle stars, Basket Stars
- Asteroidea - Sea stars or Starfish
- Case Study - Crown of Thorns Starfish
- Echinoidea -Sea urchins, Heart urchins, Sea dollars
- Chass Holothuroidea - Sea Cucumbers
- Phylum Mollusca - general characteristics and types
Arthropods 1
- Classification into Arachnida, Crustacea, Myriapoda and Insecta (insects)
- Origin
- Terminology
- Characteristic body parts
- Ecdysis
- Digestion, Respiration, reproduction and other systems
- Phylum Arthropoda
- Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
- Arachnida (Scorpions, Spiders, Mites and Ticks)
- Scorpiones (Scorpions)
- Araneae (Spiders)
- Acari (Mites and Ticks)
- Opiliones (Daddy Long-Legs)
- Merostomata (Horseshoe crabs)
- Pycnogonida (Sea spiders)
Arthropods 2
- Terminology
- Crustacea (Crustaceans)
- Class Malacostraca -Crayfish, Crabs, Shrimp etc
- Branchiopoda - Fairy shrimp, Water fleas
- Cephalocardia
- Remipedia
- Maxilopoda
- Sessile Crustaceans
- Sub Phylum Uniramia - millipedes, centipedes and insects
Insects 1
- Origin of insects - winged vs non-winged
- Class Entogantha -Collembola, Diplura, Protura
- Class Insecta
- Insect features
- Mouthparts
- Insect classification into 29 orders
- Specialised organs
- Reproduction
- Lifecycle
- Senses - vision, comminication
- Odonata -Dragonflies and Damselflies
- Mantodea - Mantises
- Orthoptera - Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids
Insects 2
- Significance to man
- Clean air and water
- Pollination by insects
- Edible insects
- Case Study - Grasshoppers save lives
- Order Diptera - Mosquitos and Flies
- Order Hymentoptera - Bees, wasps, ants, sawflies
- Order Coleoptera - Beetles, weevils

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

INVERTBRATE ANIMALS BEN218

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