Cnidaria Phylum
The Cnidaria phylum is a very diverse one ranging over 10,000 species mostly made up of marine organisms. Organisms in this phylum typically have two layers with a jelly like substance in between them. Jelly fish are similar to sponges in their simplicity yet more complex in that they have cells bound by intercellular connections, muscles, nervous systems, and some even have sensory organisms. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of a cnidarian is its cnidocytes. A cnidocyte is a cell in the cnidarian that shoots out barb like harpoon in order to disable and capture their prey. Organisms in this phylum are considered either polyp or medusa. Polyps are sedentary organisms like coral or sea anemone. Medusa are floating, free-swimming, or active organisms such as the jellyfish.
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