NEMATOZOOID Meaning and
Definition
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A nematozooid refers to a specialized individual or zooid within certain colonial marine invertebrates, which belongs to the phylum Bryozoa. It is an elongated, thread-like structure comprised of various functional components. The word "nematozooid" originates from the Greek words "nema," meaning thread, and "zoon," meaning animal.
Nematozooids are typically found in bryozoan colonies, which consist of numerous small, interconnected organisms known as zooids. These colonies can take various forms, such as branching or encrusting colonies, and the nematozooids play a critical role in their overall functioning.
The main purpose of nematozooids is to capture and immobilize small food particles suspended in the water column. Equipped with specialized tentacles called lophophores, these structures help to generate currents, trapping food particles for consumption. Additionally, nematozooids are involved in filter-feeding processes for the entire colony, facilitating the flow of nutrients within the bryozoan community.
The structure and appearance of nematozooids may vary across different species of bryozoans. They can be surrounded by protective structures like opercula or sheaths to shelter the delicate feeding tentacles when not in use. The size and shape of nematozooids within a colony may also differ depending on their specific adaptations and environmental conditions.
In summary, nematozooids are specialized thread-like structures found in colonial marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Bryozoa. They function primarily in capturing and filtering small food particles from the water, playing a vital role in the survival and sustenance of the entire bryozoan colony.
Common Misspellings for NEMATOZOOID
- nematozooyd
- nematozooad
- nematozoomd
- nematozoohd
- nematozooit
- nematozooil
- nematteozooid
- nematwozooid
- n ematozooid
- ne matozooid
- nem atozooid
- nema tozooid
- nemat ozooid
- nemato zooid
- nematoz ooid
- nematozo oid
- nematozoo id
- nematozooi d
Etymology of NEMATOZOOID
The word "nematozooid" is derived from two Greek roots: nḗmatos meaning "thread" and zōion meaning "animal". In biology, a nematozooid refers to a thread-like or elongated zooid (an independent or colonial organism) found in certain animals, such as bryozoans and siphonophores. The term was coined to describe the specific characteristics of these organisms, combining the Greek roots to create "nematozooid".
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