What structures are contained in the visceral mass of the clam?
Phylum Mollusca: Clams, Scallops, and Squids | Back to Top
- a visceral mass containing internal organs, including the digestive tract, paired kidneys, and reproductive organs.
- a mantle that surrounds but does not cover entirely the visceral mass and secretes a shell (if one is present).
What is visceral mass in phylum Mollusca?
visceral mass: the soft, non-muscular metabolic region of the mollusc that contains the body organs. mantle: the body wall of a mollusc, from which the shell is secreted.
Where is the visceral mass in bivalves?
In most bivalves, the mantle pallial cavity contains a pair of very large gills that are used to capture food particles suspended in the inhalant water current. The visceral mass is primarily situated above the pallial cavity and continues ventrally into the foot.
What covers the visceral mass of mollusks?
mantle
The mantle (also known by the Latin word pallium meaning mantle, robe or cloak, adjective pallial) is a significant part of the anatomy of molluscs: it is the dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass and usually protrudes in the form of flaps well beyond the visceral mass itself.
What does the visceral mass contain?
The visceral mass contains the digestive, excretory, and reproductive organs. The mantle is a covering. It may secrete a shell. The foot is muscular and is used for locomotion, attachment, and/or food capture.
What are the importance of mollusks?
Mollusks are among the most diverse and abundant animal groups, inhabiting many aquatic and terrestrial environments. They are important ecosystem engineers, helping to structure aquatic bottom environments and providing habitat, protection, and food to a wide array of other taxa.
Where is the visceral mass in a clam?
Like all mollusks, a clam has a mantle which surrounds its soft body. It also has a muscular foot which enables the clam to burrow itself in mud or sand. The soft tissue above the foot is called the visceral mass and contains the clam’s body organs.
What is the radula’s function in mollusks?
The radula, part of the odontophore, may be protruded, and it is used in drilling holes in prey or in rasping food particles from a surface. It is supported by a cartilage-like mass (the odontophore) and is covered with rows of many small teeth (denticles).
What are the 2 functions of the mantle of mollusks?
The mantle secretes, repairs, and maintains the shell of those mollusks that have shells.
Do cephalopods have visceral mass?
The body plan of cephalopods also differs in the relative position of the visceral mass. The visceral mass is located in a more posterior (back end) position as opposed to on the dorsal, or top, side. The head lies between the visceral mass and the arms. This is shown in Figure below.
What is the economic importance of mollusk?
Many gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods are a source of food for many cultures and therefore play an important role in the fishing industries of many countries. In addition to their economic value as food, mollusks are also used to make jewelry the most notable and valuable example of which is pearl jewelry.
What are the main characteristics of mollusks?
Characteristic Features of Phylum Mollusca
- They are bilaterally symmetrical.
- They are triploblastic, which three layers.
- They show organ system grade of organisation.
- The body is soft and unsegmented.
- Body is divisible into three regions – head, a visceral mass, and ventral foot.
- Body is covered by a mantle and shell.
What is the soft tissue of a clam?
Like all mollusks, a clam has a mantle which surrounds its soft body. It also has a muscular foot which enables the clam to burrow itself in mud or sand. The soft tissue above the foot is called the visceral mass and contains the clam’s body organs.
What is the body of a clam called?
Clams are marine mollusks with two valves or shells. Like all mollusks, a clam has a mantle which surrounds its soft body. It also has a muscular foot which enables the clam to burrow itself in mud or sand. The soft tissue above the foot is called the visceral mass and contains the clam’s body organs. Click to see full answer.
What is the visceral mass of a mollusk?
They have what is referred to as the visceral mass, mantle and foot. The Mollusk visceral mass includes body organs – the digestive tract, renal and reproductive organs. The mantle partially covers the visceral mass and may secrete a shell in some mollusks.
What is the function of internal and external clams?
Internal Clam Siphons AnatomyIncurrent- incoming water contains oxygen and tinyyf food organisms Excurrent- metabolic wastes are expelled Gills 2 pairs on each side Fil fdlter out food particles and provide for gas exchange Labial palps (2) At ends of gills provide for food sorting prior to entering mouth