A medusoid , in the realm of biological science , refers to a finicky soma or degree in the sprightliness cycle of sure coelenterates , which are a mathematical group of marine brute that let in jellyfish and sea anemone . These creature have a distinctive life sentence cycle per second that involve alternating between two different eubstance forms : the medusoid and the polyp .
The medusoid phase is the free - swim , intimate phase of the cnidarian ’s life cycle . It is characterise by a gelatinlike umbrella - shaped consistence , often referred to as a bell , which allows the being to move through the water supply . skirt the sharpness of the bell are numerous tentacles , which answer various mapping such as beguile prey and aiding in locomotion . The medusoid physique is what most people usually associate with jellyfish , as it is during this phase that they are typically observed in the ocean .
During this medusoid degree , the cnidarian procreate sexually , releasing eggs or sperm into the body of water . fertilisation occurs externally , and the result embryos develop into larvae . These larvae eventually settle on a suitable substratum and transform into the polyp form , which is the other phase in the coelenterate ’s life cycle .
The polypus anatomy is typically stalkless , mean it is fixed in one place and does not move around like the medusoid . It attach itself to a solid surface , such as a rock or coral reef , using a specialized structure anticipate a basal disc . From the top of the polyp ’s body , tentacles extend outwards , like to the medusoid form . However , the polyp ’s tentacles are primarily used for feeding rather than locomotion .
The polyp class is responsible for for asexual reproduction , as it can undergo a summons called budding . This involves the growth of small , genetically identical offspring , call bud , that evolve as growth from the parent polypus . These buds eventually detach and mature into medusoids , thus complete the life story rhythm of the coelenterate .
It is of import to note that not all coelenterate show a medusoid stage in their life story cycle . Some species , such as sea sea anemone , are exclusively polypoid and do not own a free - swimming medusoid form . However , for those coelenterate that do have a medusoid phase , it is a crucial part of their generative and biography wheel strategies .
A medusan in biology refers to the barren - swimming , sexual stage of sealed coelenterates ’ liveliness cycle . It is characterized by a bell - shaped trunk and tentacles , which enable movement and prey seizure . The medusoid form is one of two eubstance form that coelenterates can take , with the other being the polyp var. . The medusoid and polypus stage alternating in the cnidarian ’s sprightliness cps , with the medusoid phase being responsible for sexual facts of life , while the polyp phase channel out nonsexual reproduction .
Caroline Bates
