Morphology
What term describes roundworms, an abundant phylum of unsegmented worms?
Nematode
You want to detect chemical gradients in soil—what head-region sensory organ on nematodes would you examine?
Sensillum
What is the multilayered, flexible external covering that protects nematodes and must be shed for growth?
Cuticle
Name the needle-like mouthpart used by plant-parasitic nematodes to pierce and suck host cell contents.
Stylet
Identify the muscular pumping organ that transports food from the mouth into the intestine in nematodes.
Pharynx
Synthesize your knowledge: a nematode that completes its entire life cycle inside plant roots is called an ____________.
Endoparasite
Evaluate this scenario: you observe a nematode feeding externally, its stylet never enters root tissue—what feeding type is this?
Ectoparasite
What fluid-filled body cavity type do nematodes possess, lying between the gut and body wall?
Pseudocoelom
Which subcuticular tissue layer synthesizes the cuticle and forms the “skin” of a nematode?
Hypodermis
Analyze a growth series of a nematode: the term for shedding its old cuticle between juvenile stages is _________.
Molting