mesoglea
Quick Summary
Mesoglea is a jellylike substance found between the outer ectoderm and inner endoderm of invertebrates like sponges and cnidarians. This largely noncellular layer is permeated by elastic fibers.12
In jellyfish (medusae), the mesoglea makes up the majority of the animal's body and functions as a resilient skeleton. In contrast, in polyp forms, the water-filled coelenteron acts as a hydrostatic skeleton, working with the mesoglea to maintain the animal's shape. Muscles in cnidarians are extensions of cell bases and are organized in ways that allow for elongation, shortening, and bending of the body and tentacles in polyps, and jet propulsion in medusae.2
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cnidarianTissues and musclesBetween these is sandwiched the mesoglea, a largely noncellular layer composed of a jellylike material permeated by a complex network of supporting fibres that may be microscopically thin or very thick. The fibres and jelly are elastic. In medusae, mesoglea comprises the bulk of the animal and forms a resilient…
Read MoreBetween these is sandwiched the mesoglea, a largely noncellular layer composed of a jellylike material permeated by a complex network of supporting fibres that may be microscopically thin or very thick. The fibres and jelly are elastic. In medusae, mesoglea comprises the bulk of the animal and forms a resilient…
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skeletonSemirigid structuresThe mesoglea layer, which lies between the ectoderm and the endoderm (the innermost tissue layer) of coelenterates, is thin in small species and massive in large ones. It forms a flexible skeleton, associated with supporting muscle fibres on both the ectodermal and endodermal sides. In many…
Read MoreThe mesoglea layer, which lies between the ectoderm and the endoderm (the innermost tissue layer) of coelenterates, is thin in small species and massive in large ones. It forms a flexible skeleton, associated with supporting muscle fibres on both the ectodermal and endodermal sides. In many…
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ctenophoreForm and function.…a thick gelatinous layer, the mesoglea. Because it contains not only many mesenchymal cells (or unspecialized connective tissue) but also specialized cells (e.g., muscle cells), the mesoglea forms a true mesoderm. In this respect the comb jellies are more highly evolved than even the most complex cnidarians.
Read More…a thick gelatinous layer, the mesoglea. Because it contains not only many mesenchymal cells (or unspecialized connective tissue) but also specialized cells (e.g., muscle cells), the mesoglea forms a true mesoderm. In this respect the comb jellies are more highly evolved than even the most complex cnidarians.
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…between which lies the gelatinous mesoglea. In jellyfish the transparent mesoglea layer is quite thick.
Read More…between which lies the gelatinous mesoglea. In jellyfish the transparent mesoglea layer is quite thick.
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animalRadiata: a tissue level of organization…ectoderm of coelenterates is the mesoglea, a gelatinous mass that contains connective fibres of collagen and usually some cells. Both layers contain muscle fibres and a two-dimensional web of nerve cells at the base; the endoderm surrounds a central cavity, which ranges from simple to complex in shape and serves…
Read More…ectoderm of coelenterates is the mesoglea, a gelatinous mass that contains connective fibres of collagen and usually some cells. Both layers contain muscle fibres and a two-dimensional web of nerve cells at the base; the endoderm surrounds a central cavity, which ranges from simple to complex in shape and serves…
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