What are the defining features of a Cestode?

Cestodes are long, flat, ribbon-like organisms commonly called tapeworms. The head, or scolex, has one or more hooked suckers for firm attachment to the host. Behind the head is the neck which is the growing region. The body consists of segments, each containing reproductive organs.

Why are cestodes successful parasites?

Cestodes have no gut or mouth and absorb nutrients from the host’s alimentary tract through their specialised neodermal cuticle, or tegument, through which gas exchange also takes place. The tegument also protects the parasite from the host’s digestive enzymes and allows it to transfer molecules back to the host.

Does Cestode have digestive system?

Cestodes have no digestive tract; they absorb nutrients from the host across the body wall.

What is difference between Cestode and trematode?

Cestodes are tape-like and segmented in shape, have a head with suckers and possibly hooks, and lack a digestive tract. Trematodes are leaf-like and unsegmented, lack hooks entirely, and have an incomplete digestive tract.

Which anatomical feature of a Cestode is used for nutrient absorption?

While they lack a mouth and digestive system, cestodes simply absorb nutrients through their surface membrane. Based on close microscopic studies, the entire surface of the strobilus was shown to be covered with tiny wrinkles as well as projections that increase the surface area for nutrients absorption.

What is the shape of a Cestode?

Structure. Adults, which mature sexually in the definitive or final host, are ribbon-shaped, multisegmented, hermaphroditic flatworms; each segment has a complete male and female reproductive system.

How do cestodes affect their host?

The adult cestodes elicit little host inflammatory or immune response in contrast to the strong responses elicited by the larval stages in tissues. Adult cestodes are often acquired by ingestion of meat from intermediate hosts. Extraintestinal infection with larvae results from ingestion of eggs of fecal origin.

What are the adaptive features of tapeworm?

Tapeworms have many adaptations such as strong suckers and hooks for attachment to the lining of the small intestine. Tapeworms are thin and flattened and have a very large surface area for absorption of nutrients.

How do cestodes digest their food quizlet?

How do cestodes digest their food? They rely on their host. What drives fluid through a flame cell? Two canals join to form excretory bladder that opens by a terminal pore.

How cestodes affect their host?