LOPHOPHORE Meaning and
Definition
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Lophophore is a noun that refers to a specialized feeding organ found in certain aquatic invertebrates, specifically in a group of marine animals known as the lophophorates. It is a characteristic feature of these animals and is often referred to as a horseshoe-shaped or circular structure that surrounds their mouth.
The lophophore is composed of numerous tentacles or ciliated arms that are lined with tiny hair-like structures called cilia. These cilia are responsible for creating water currents, which help in the capturing and directing of food particles towards the mouth of the organism. The lophophore acts as a filter-feeding apparatus, allowing the animals to collect and consume small particles, such as plankton and organic material, present in the surrounding water.
The lophophore is considered a remarkable adaptation for these animals, as it enables them to efficiently trap and filter food from their environment without the need for active hunting and chasing. It also provides a sensory function, allowing the organisms to detect changes in the water currents, thus aiding in their ability to respond to their surroundings and potential predators.
In conclusion, the lophophore is a distinctive anatomical feature found in lophophorate animals, facilitating their feeding process through a specialized filtering mechanism of tentacles lined with cilia.
Common Misspellings for LOPHOPHORE
Etymology of LOPHOPHORE
The word "lophophore" comes from the Greek words "lophos" meaning "crest" or "tuft" and "phoros" meaning "bearing" or "carrying". The term was coined by German naturalist Carl Gegenbaur in 1868 to describe a unique feeding organ found in certain aquatic invertebrates called lophophorates. The lophophore is a horseshoe-shaped or circular structure that bears ciliated tentacles used for filter-feeding.
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