Download Phylum Cnidaria

Otherwise known as
“Cool Coral and Friends!”

Common Characteristics
◦ Live in water
◦ Stinging cells (nematocysts) to capture prey and
defend themselves
◦ Nerve net-network of nerve cells that cover a
cnidarians' body
◦ Radial body symmetry

Two body shapes◦ Polyp and Medusa



Tentacles with stinging cells
One mouth opening where
food comes in and waste
goes out
Central cavity contains cells
which release digestive
chemicals to break down
food
Polyp
Medusa

Reproduce Sexually
◦ Male and female cnidarians release sperm and eggs
into the water at the same time

Reproduce Asexually
◦ Polyp cnidarians bud-grow a new organism that
breaks off into a new individual organism
◦ Cnidarians can also regenerate-grow new body
parts
Jellyfish
Life Cycle
Venus
Flytrap
Anemone
Portuguese
Man of War
Of course…we know this is a
medusa, not a polyp!