Trichoplax Adhaerens (Tp) Is the Only Living Species in the Phylum

question 62

Multiple Choice

Trichoplax adhaerens (Tp) is the only living species in the phylum Placozoa. Individuals are about 1 mm wide and only 27 μm high, are irregularly shaped, and consist of a total of about 2,000 cells, which are diploid (2n = 12) . There are four types of cells, none of which are nerve or muscle cells, and none of which have cell walls. They move using cilia, and any "edge" can lead. Tp feeds on marine microbes, mostly unicellular green algae, by crawling atop the algae and trapping it between its ventral surface and the substrate. Enzymes are then secreted onto the algae, and the resulting nutrients are absorbed. Tp sperm cells have never been observed, nor have embryos past the 64-cell (blastula) stage.
-In how many of the following ways is Tp unlike the typical animal?
1) Tp is multicellular.
2) Tp lacks muscle and nerve cells.
3) Tp has cilia.
4) Tp has a different place where digestion of food occurs.
5) Tp lacks cell walls.

• A) only one way
• B) two ways
• C) three ways
• D) four ways
• E) all five ways

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