What is a tegument in Platyhelminthes?

What is a tegument in Platyhelminthes?

The tegument is a massive cell that covers the entire surface of the worm, and is thought to be an adaptation that enabled flatworms to become parasites.

What is syncytial tegument?

The tegument consists of cytoplasmic syncytium 2–4 μm thick, which is a mass of dense granular material that contains no separate cells. The syncytial zone of the tegument is separated from the muscle layer and subtegumental cells by a membranous basal lamina, a regular trilaminate lipid bilayer.

What is the tegument of worms?

Tegument /ˈtɛɡjʊmənt/ is a term in helminthology for the outer body covering of members of the phylum Platyhelminthes. The name is derived from a Latin word tegumentum or tegere, meaning “to cover”. It is characteristic of flatworms including the broad groups of tapeworms and flukes.

Why is Platyhelminthes Unsegmented?

Flatworms are unsegmented, bilaterally symmetrical worms that lack a coelom (acoelomate) but that do have three germ layers. Some forms are free living but many are parasitic.

Does the syncytial tegument have mitochondria?

Cellular component – Tegument The underlying syncytial-matrix contains some mitochondria, many vesicular structures and an extensive cytoskeleton. A basal lamina separates the syncytium from a layer of muscle cells.

What is unique about the tegument of a Platyhelminthes worm?

The tegument forms a protective barrier that guards these parasites, not only against the host immune system, but also from the physical extremes they encounter living in the digestive system, blood, or internal organs of their host.

What is the meaning of syncytial?

(sin-SIH-shee-um) A large cell-like structure formed by the joining together of two or more cells. The plural is syncytia.

What does the tegument guard parasitic worms form?

How do phylum Platyhelminthes move from place to place?

Small flatworms (Platyhelminthes) and some of the smaller molluscan species move along the bottom by ciliary activity. On their ventral (bottom) surface, a dense coat of cilia extends from head to tail. The direction of the ciliary beat is tailward, causing the animal to glide slowly forward.

Why are Platyhelminthes more advanced than cnidarians?

Flatworms are more complex than cnidarians. Cnidarians have two layers of cells, the ectoderm and the endoderm; flatworms have a middle layer called the mesoderm between the other two layers (Fig. 3.16).

What is a tegument in zoology?

Definition. The tegument of schistosomes is an outer-surface covering blood-dwelling flatworms.

How can we protect Platyhelminthes?

The principal means of spread is considered to be through movement of plant material and soil. By following hygienic practices and undertaking careful inspections of their stock of plants, nursery stock producers, garden centres and traders can help to limit the spread of flatworms.