Delve into the fascinating, little-known world of invertebrates!
Invertebrates are the largest group of animals on Earth.
Much of the Earth's ecosphere and agricultural production relies on the subtle yet essential functions of invertebrates.
Study the anatomy, behaviour, taxonomy and physiology of invertebrates.
This is an experiential learning-based course. Throughout your studies you will have the opportunity to network with and learn from a variety of industry professionals. Establishing real-world relationships and confidence is key to career success.
Lesson Structure
There are 9 lessons in this course:
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Scope and Nature of Invertebrate Animals
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Introduction
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Significance to humans
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Comparative studies - invertebrate animals
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Important terminology
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Overview of Invertebrate Phyla
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Microscopic phyla -Tardigrada, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera, Placozoa
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Worms - Acanthocephala, Annelida, Hemichordata, etc
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Corals and relatives - Cnidaria, Ctenophora, Ectoprocta, Porifera
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Echinoderms and Molluscs - Echinodermata, Mollusca, Brachiopoda
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Complex Invertebrates - Arthropoda
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Microscopic Animals
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Protozoa or Animalia
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Phylum Nematoda
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Mites
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Phylum Tardigrada
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Adaptability and Survival
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Anhydrobiosis
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Cysts
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Phylum Kinorhycha
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Phylum Loricifera
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Phylum Placozoa
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Worms & Worm Like Animals
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True worms vs Worm like organisms
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Worm evolution
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Bilateral symmetry
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Cephalisation
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Body organisation
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Characteristics and systems showing complexity
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Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)
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Free living flatworms
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Parasitic flatworms
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Significance to Humans - Liver fluke, blood flukes, tapeworms
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Beef tapeworm
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Phylum Nematoda (Roundworms)
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Phylum Annelida (Segmented Worms)
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Other Worm Like Animals - Acorn worms, ribbon worms, Spiny headed worms, etc.
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Coelomate Worms
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Sponges, Corals, Anemones, Jellyfish
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Introduction
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Phylum Cnidaria
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Hydrozoa
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Scyphozoa
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Cubozoa
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Anthozoa
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Cnidaria and Humans
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Phylum Ctenophora
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Phylum Porifera - Location, Internal & External Structures, Reproduction, Toxicity
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Classes within Porifera
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Finding food
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Molluscs and Echinoderms
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Phylum Echinodermata
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Crinoidea - Sea Lilies and Feather Stars
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Ophiuroidea -Brittle stars, Basket Stars
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Asteroidea - Sea stars or Starfish
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Case Study - Crown of Thorns Starfish
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Echinoidea -Sea urchins, Heart urchins, Sea dollars
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Chass Holothuroidea - Sea Cucumbers
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Phylum Mollusca - general characteristics and types
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Arthropods 1
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Classification into Arachnida, Crustacea, Myriapoda and Insecta (insects)
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Origin
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Terminology
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Characteristic body parts
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Ecdysis
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Digestion, Respiration, reproduction and other systems
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Phylum Arthropoda
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Chelicerata (Chelicerates)
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Arachnida (Scorpions, Spiders, Mites and Ticks)
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Scorpiones (Scorpions)
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Araneae (Spiders)
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Acari (Mites and Ticks)
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Opiliones (Daddy Long-Legs)
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Merostomata (Horseshoe crabs)
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Pycnogonida (Sea spiders)
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Arthropods 2
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Terminology
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Crustacea (Crustaceans)
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Class Malacostraca - Crayfish, Crabs, Shrimp, etc.
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Branchiopoda - Fairy shrimp, Water fleas
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Cephalocarida
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Remipedia
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Maxillopoda
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Sessile Crustaceans
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Sub Phylum Uniramia - millipedes, centipedes and insects
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Insects 1
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Origin of insects - winged vs non winged
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Class Entognatha -Collembola, Diplura, Protura
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Class Insecta
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Insect features
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Mouthparts
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Insect classification into 29 orders
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Specialised organs
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Reproduction
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Lifecycle
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Senses - vision, communication
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Odonata -Dragonflies and Damselflies
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Mantodea - Mantises
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Orthoptera - Grasshoppers, Crickets, Katydids
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Insects 2
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Significance to man
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Clean air and water
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Pollination by insects
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Edible insects
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Case Study - Grasshoppers save lives
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Order Diptera - Mosquitos and Flies
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Order Hymenoptera - Bees, wasps, ants, sawflies
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Order Coleoptera - Beetles, weevils
Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.
Aims
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Describe the scope and nature of invertebrate animals; including similarities and differences between different groups of invertebrates.
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Describe and compare the structure and function of animals that cannot be seen readily with the naked eye.
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Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different worms and worm like animals.
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Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different sponges, corals and anemones.
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Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different molluscs and echinoderms.
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Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different arthropods.
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Explain the significance of arthropods to man
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Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different insects.
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Explain the significance of insects to man.
The Importance of Invertebrates
Invertebrates, like all living species, are required to locate and digest food, mate and reproduce, protect themselves, maintain internal bodily regulations and nutrients as well as remove waste products. However, invertebrate species do these vital ‘life tasks' differently to vertebrate species.
Despite being the largest taxonomic group, invertebrates are arguably the most cryptic and least studied of all animals. A constant subject of intrigue and fascination, scientists continue to make interesting discoveries in this field. Many species impact on humans, some positively, e.g., contributions to food production and medicines; and some negatively, e.g., disease vectors.
Why are there so many invertebrates and how do they maintain their high numbers? Many species can survive in the most extreme environments on Earth. Some are deep within the depths of the ocean, and some can survive within the freezing temperatures of Antarctica. Some species are able to switch into dormant mode to enable their survival within these extreme conditions. Most invertebrate species are very small which allows them to avoid predation and persist needing less, i.e., food, shelter, space, etc. Some species have wings which enhances their survival. Reproduction rates are often very high with many species producing hundreds of eggs at a time. Some females are able to store sperm and some species are parthenogenetic. Also, some species can go through metamorphosis which further assists in their adaptation and survival.
Over 95% of all species from the animal kingdom form part of this group, which accounts for over 1.37 million known species. They contribute to all of the world's essential functions in some way. Their variety and uniqueness is endlessly interesting!
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