An image of a fish

Lesson 4 - Marine Invertebrates

Introduction

In this lesson you will study the marine invertebrates, animals that lack backbones. This will include many types of animals that are not found on land. Major taxonomic groups will be emphasized to help you better understand the tremendous diversity of forms.
 
Getting Started There is a countless number of living things in the worlds oceans. Marine organisms come in a mind boggling variety from microscopic bacteria and protists to plants and animals of many types. Conceptualizing this diversity of species is a daunting task. In lessons 3 you studied the unicellular marine life, seaweeds, and marine plants. In this lesson you will be introduced to many of the smaller animals that inhabit the ocean. Evolutionary taxonomy will be used as a unifying concept to help you better understand the diversity of animals without backbones. By familiarizing yourself with the major groups of marine invertebrates you will be better equiped when confronted with a new "unknown" organism.

Marine invertebrates are highly adapted for survival in the marine environment. To become more aware of their adaptations, you might compare the body parts and behaviors of the marine invertebrates with those of the marine organisms you studied in lesson 3.

Despite their differences, all marine invertebrates have features they share. Since they live in the same environment, they must all perform tasks in somewhat the same way, and therefore they must have bodies that allow them to do so. Compare the marine invertebrates you study in this lesson to one another.


Focus on Learning

 

Use the course competencies listed below to focus your learning and use the lesson objectives to sharpen that focus.
 
Competencies By the end of the lesson , you should be able to:

  1. Distinguish between examples of the major invertebrate groups.
 
Objectives

To master the competencies, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the general characteristics of 11 animal phyla.
  2. Recognize examples of marine invertebrates.


Reading Assignments

Reading Assignment Reading is a very important component of an internet course. Read the assigned pages from your textbook and coloring book before proceeding to the Instruction section.
   
Textbook Read the Assignments in Castro and Huber's Marine Biology Textbook:
4.1 Simple Invertebrates: Chapter 7
4.2 Complex Invertebrates: Chapter 7
   
Coloring Book Read the Assignments in Niesen's Marine Biology Coloring Book:
4.1 Simple Invertebrates: Plates 22 to 25 and 76
4.2 Complex Invertebrates: Plates 26 to 42 and 77 to 84
   
Complete the optional Reading Self Test after completing the reading assignments. Have your textbook open as you work on it. The self test is a warm up for the reading quiz that follows.
   
Reading Self Test
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Reading Self Test located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Reading Self Test 4 Marine Invertebrates
 



Instruction

Complete the Lecture Exercise below. The lecture exercise consists of two sets of online notes and a notes self test.
   
Study the online notes. Have your books and notebook open as you work on them. Add the information you find in the notes to your notebook or print them and add them to your notebook. The notes can be opened when completing the self test and quiz. The information you find in these notes is very helpful when completing the graded note quiz when assessing your learning below.
   
Online Notes
Read the Online Notes by Clicking the Links Below:
Notes 4.1 Simple Invertebrates
Notes 4.2 Complex Invertebrates
   
Complete the optional Notes Self Test after studying the online notes. Have the online notes, your books and notebook open as you work on it. The self test is a warm up for the notes quiz that follows.
   
Notes Self Test
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Notes Self Test located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Notes: Self Test 4 Marine Invertebrates
   
Complete the Laboratory Exercise below. The laboratory exercise consists of four lab activities and a lab self test.
   
Complete the Lab Activities. Have your books and notebook open as you work on them. Add the information you find in the lab activities to your notebook. The information in these activities is very helpful when completing the graded lab quiz when assesing your learning below.
   
Lab Activities
Complete the Lab Activities by Clicking the Links Below:
Lab Activity 4.1 Simple Invertebrates
Lab Activity 4.2 Complex Worms and Lophophorates
Lab Activity 4.3 Molluscs and Jointed Legged Animals
Lab Activity 4.4 Spiny Skinned Animals and Chordates
   
Complete the optional Lab Self Test after completing the lab activities. Have the online lab activities, your books and notebook open as you work on it. The self test is a warm up for the lab quiz that follows.
   
Lab Self Test
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Lab Self Test located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Lab Self Test 4 Marine Invertebrates



Assess Your Learning

It's time to assess what you have learned from the online notes. The following Reading Quiz is a graded assignment. Have your textbook open as you work on it. Be sure to submit your work when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Reading Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Reading Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Reading Quiz 4 Marine Invertebrates
   
It's time to assess what you have learned from the online notes. The following Note Quiz is a graded assignment. Have your books and notebook open as you work on it. Be sure to submit your work when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Notes Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Notes Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Notes Quiz 4 Marine Invertebrates
   
It's time to assess what you have learned from your lab activities. The following Lab Quiz is a graded assignment. Have your books and notebook open as you work on it. Be sure to submit your work when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Lab Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Lab Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Lab Quiz 4 Marine Invertebrates



Express Your Learning

It's time to think about the big picture and express what you have learned in this lesson. The following Essay Quiz is a graded assignment. Feel free to draw upon any of the work you have already done. Be sure to submit your essay quiz when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Essay Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Essay Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Essay Quiz 4 Marine Invertebrates



Related Web Sites

Here is a website that I like in case you'd like to pursue this topic on the internet:

Introduction to Metazoa

Have You Met The Objectives For This Lesson?