Invertebrates Study Guide
Name: __________________________________
Date: ________
Directions: Use the Word Bank to answer the questions below.
Exoskeleton
Endoskeleton
Chitin
Bristles
Parasite
Tentacles
Phyla
Coral
1) A parasite is an organism that gets its food from another living organism.
2) Arthropods have a(n) exoskeleton, or a hard covering on the outside of their
bodies that protects them.
3) Contact lenses and artificial skin are made from chitin, a material that makes up
an exoskeleton.
4) A segmented worm has bristles that help it move through the soil.
5) Cnidarians have tentacles that shoot poison darts at predators.
6) Invertebrate are divided into 8 different groups called phyla.
7) Echinoderms have a(n) endoskeleton, or an internal supporting structure.
8) Coral, which is a habitat to many animals, is endangered due to pollution, souvenir
hunters, and ships.
Directions: Use the Word Bank to match the characteristics to the phyla.
Sponge
Echinoderm
Mollusk
Arthropod
Roundworm
Flatworm
Segmented Worm
Cnidarian
Phyla
Characteristics
Echinoderm
Have spiny skin, suction cup feet, and an
endoskeleton
Sponge
The simplest invertebrate with no
symmetry
Flatworm
Least complex worm with a flat body;
many are parasites
Cnidarian
Have tentacles that shoot poisonous darts
to keep predators away
Roundworm
Have rounded body with pointed ends
Mollusk
Have 1 shell, 2 shells, or an inner shell and
are among the most intelligent sea
animals
Arthropod
Largest invertebrate phylum with jointed
legs and an exoskeleton
Segmented Worm
Most complex worm with bodies divided
into segments and bristles to help it move
Directions: Match the phylum or class to the correct examples.
1) B
Cnidarian
A. Earthworm
2) E
Flatworm
B. Coral, Jellyfish
3) C
Roundworm
C. Nematode
4) A
Segmented worm
D. Ladybug, Lobster
5) F
Mollusk
E. Tapeworm, Planarian
6) G
Echinoderm
F. Snail, Clam
7) D
Arthropod
G. Starfish, Sand Dollar
Directions: Complete each short answer question.
1) Name the 4 classes of arthropods and provide 1 example of each.
a) Insects: ladybug, bee
b) Crustaceans: crab, lobster
c) Millipedes and Centipedes: millipedes, centipedes
d) Arachnids: spider, scorpion
2) An invertebrate has no backbone.
3) How is an earthworm more complex than other worms? An earthworm has a
segmented body, bristles to help it move, 5 pairs of simple hearts, a nervous system,
and blood vessels.
4) How do invertebrates benefit other living things? Include at least 3 examples in
your response. Invertebrates are a source of food. Earthworms help enrich the soil.
Sponges have many household uses. Coral is a habitat for many sea animals. Chitin
(material in exoskeletons) is used in contact lenses and threads for stitches.