This module explores the basic relationships between life form and function of animals and plants.
I liked this succinct description so much I'm posting it here:
"The metameric body plan observed in annelids, where the coelom is divided into similar parts or segments, was a major evolutionary advance.
Components of all the major body systems, excretory, circulatory, reproductive and nervous are repeated in each segment - the gut is the only exception. Internally, each segment is separated from its neighbour by vertical mesenteries and a longitudinal mesentery running from one end of the animal to the other.
Metamerism not only increased the efficiency of burrowing but it made possible sophisticated movement of separate segments, independent of others. The need for greater control over these movements in turn led to a more highly developed nervous system."
Source:
Annelida, Biomedia Museum, Biological Sciences, University of Paisley.
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About N. Sivasothi
Sivasothi is lecturing Biodiversity, Ecology, Structure and Function, Marine Biology and Animal Behaviour with the Department of Biological Sciences.
His interests include otters, mangroves, museum databases, coastal ecology, tree-climbing crabs and conservation of biodiversity.
He is also the national coordinator of the International Coastal Cleanup Singapore and Toddycats! Volunteers of the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, NUS.