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🔬 Biology  ·  Animal Kingdom  ·  NEET

What is the function of cnidoblasts (cnidocytes) found in Cnidaria?

Answer: Defense and capturing of prey via stinging cells.

  • A Digestion of food in the gastrovascular cavity
  • B Excretion of nitrogenous wastes
  • C Defense and capturing of prey via stinging cells
  • D Locomotion by water expulsion

Correct answer: C. Defense and capturing of prey via stinging cells

Explanation: Cnidoblasts (cnidocytes) are specialized stinging cells present on the tentacles of cnidarians, used for anchorage, defense, and capturing prey.

Body Plan Progression Across PhylaPoriferaasymmetricalcellular levelCnidariaradial, diploblastictissue levelPlatyhelminthesbilateral, acoelomateorgan levelNematodapseudocoel.Annelida+true coelomorgan systemEach step adds organisational complexity: symmetry → germ layers → coelom type → organ systems

Moving across the animal phyla, body organisation becomes progressively more complex: from no symmetry and cellular organisation (Porifera) through radial/diploblastic (Cnidaria), bilateral/acoelomate (Platyhelminthes), pseudocoelomate (Nematoda), to a true coelom with full organ systems (Annelida and beyond).

Concept context

Phylum-level classification of the animal kingdom from Porifera to Chordata, based on body symmetry, coelom, and segmentation. One of the most example-heavy chapters for NEET.

Read the full Animal Kingdom notes →