Starfish are classified under the domain Eukarya. Their multicellular presence and existing nuclei exclude them from prokaryotic domains. Furthermore, they are classified in the Animalia kingdom because they are not prokaryotes or protists. Next, Sea Stars fall under echinoderms, which are invertebrates characterized by their hard, spiny skin. The echinoderm phylum consists of mostly sea creatures (Pawson & Miller, 2016). Organisms placed in the Asteroidea class are identified by their arms that extend from a central disk, ability to regenerate their limbs, and a complete digestive system (Mulcrone, 2005). Starfish are classified in the order of Forcipulatida because of the composition of the skeletal framework surrounding the mouth (“Forcipulatida,”
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Their ventral (oral) side faces down, towards the ocean floor while their dorsal (aboral) side faces upwards, towards the surface of the water. When capturing and feeding on prey, starfish mobilize their tube feet to get themselves in position and use pressure from the water vascular system on the organism until it cracks. They usually feed on clams, mussels, and oysters. To begin digestion, the oral main body protrudes the cardiac stomach through the mouth. Then the food is passed to the pyloric stomach, which leads to the short intestine. The pyloric stomach passes the food into the digestive glands located in the arms of the starfish. Digestive glands secrete enzymes to allow the nutrients to be absorbed. Lastly, a small intestine runs from the secondary stomach to the anus, where all the unnecessary waste is excreted. This unique digestive system allows starfish to eat organisms that are much larger than their tiny mouths can fit (Mader, 2016, p. …show more content…
All memories, sensory information, and upcoming decisions of what to do must go through these radial nerves. In order to move towards prey and away from predators, nerve extensions must coordinate. Even with the absence of a brain, starfish are able to associate textures and illumination to locate food and potential mates. They can also identify odors in a way that helps them identify prey. While their nervous system is very primitive, it is essential for their survival. Without it, they would lose their ability to locate food and reproduction would be scarce (“Sea Star Anatomy,”
Their ventral (oral) side faces down, towards the ocean floor while their dorsal (aboral) side faces upwards, towards the surface of the water. When capturing and feeding on prey, starfish mobilize their tube feet to get themselves in position and use pressure from the water vascular system on the organism until it cracks. They usually feed on clams, mussels, and oysters. To begin digestion, the oral main body protrudes the cardiac stomach through the mouth. Then the food is passed to the pyloric stomach, which leads to the short intestine. The pyloric stomach passes the food into the digestive glands located in the arms of the starfish. Digestive glands secrete enzymes to allow the nutrients to be absorbed. Lastly, a small intestine runs from the secondary stomach to the anus, where all the unnecessary waste is excreted. This unique digestive system allows starfish to eat organisms that are much larger than their tiny mouths can fit (Mader, 2016, p. …show more content…
All memories, sensory information, and upcoming decisions of what to do must go through these radial nerves. In order to move towards prey and away from predators, nerve extensions must coordinate. Even with the absence of a brain, starfish are able to associate textures and illumination to locate food and potential mates. They can also identify odors in a way that helps them identify prey. While their nervous system is very primitive, it is essential for their survival. Without it, they would lose their ability to locate food and reproduction would be scarce (“Sea Star Anatomy,”