Examine the ecologic importance, life cycle, and anatomical structures of the freshwater crustaceans Daphnia
Bright swarms of Daphnia serve as the food source of many larger animals. The internal processes of Daphnia are easily studied through its transparent carapace. A single eye, sensitive to light, causes Daphnia to react in a sunlit river.
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Transcript
NARRATOR: These small crustaceans reproduce so quickly that they could soon fill a pond to overflowing if they did not serve as the basic food source of many larger animals. The bright swarms of Daphnia are so numerous that the whole balance of fresh water depends on them. The common name, water flea, was given to Daphnia because these organisms seem to hop and jump as they swim.
Since its shell and many of its inner organs are transparent, the life processes of Daphnia can be studied in operation.
Although Daphnia has no blood vessels, blood is circulated throughout the body cavity by a heart that may pulse 300 times a minute. Flowing within Daphnia's transparent carapace, the blood reaches every body part, then returns and circulates again. White blood cells help fight disease and parasites in Daphnia, as they do in humans.
The movement of Daphnia's limbs keeps fresh water flowing into the carapace and facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Dissolved oxygen is taken from the water, and carbon dioxide is expelled from the body through featherlike membranes on the limbs. The limbs continually rake the water as waste products are exchanged for oxygen to be absorbed into the blood.
Some of Daphnia's activities are triggered by sensations. Centered in Daphnia's head is a single eye that is constantly vibrating. The eye receives no images but is sensitive to light.
When the sun strikes the water, swarms of Daphnia react. They propel themselves down with flealike jumps away from the glare. When the surface grows dark at night, they rise again.
Since its shell and many of its inner organs are transparent, the life processes of Daphnia can be studied in operation.
Although Daphnia has no blood vessels, blood is circulated throughout the body cavity by a heart that may pulse 300 times a minute. Flowing within Daphnia's transparent carapace, the blood reaches every body part, then returns and circulates again. White blood cells help fight disease and parasites in Daphnia, as they do in humans.
The movement of Daphnia's limbs keeps fresh water flowing into the carapace and facilitates the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Dissolved oxygen is taken from the water, and carbon dioxide is expelled from the body through featherlike membranes on the limbs. The limbs continually rake the water as waste products are exchanged for oxygen to be absorbed into the blood.
Some of Daphnia's activities are triggered by sensations. Centered in Daphnia's head is a single eye that is constantly vibrating. The eye receives no images but is sensitive to light.
When the sun strikes the water, swarms of Daphnia react. They propel themselves down with flealike jumps away from the glare. When the surface grows dark at night, they rise again.