Mollusca is one of the most diverse associations of animals on Earth. It consists of 50,000 living species and has many different organisms. Three familiar organisms are octopuses, cuttlefish, and scallops. Most molluscs have a soft bodies that are covered and protected by a hard exoskeleton. Coincidentally, the word "mollusca" comes from the Latin word "mollus" meaning soft. Molluscs are found all around the world and are needed by many communities in their surrounding area. In addition, molluscs have an important value to humans by supplying us with food, tools, jewelry, and in some rare cases, pets.
The majority of molluscs feed through a radula, a tongue shaped structure that is made up of a flexible layer of skin with hundreds of tiny teeth. Basically, it feels like sandpaper. A stiff strip of cartilage places the radula on the source of food. Then, the radula pulls the flexible skin along the cartilage. After the radula takes in the food, it goes through a perplexing digestive maze. It goes to the digestive glands and then to the intestines. Shortly after, wastes are removed by the anus and useful nutrients are sent to the mouth. The wastes are sent out in solid to prevent any type of liquid passing over the organism's gills.
The majority of molluscs feed through a radula, a tongue shaped structure that is made up of a flexible layer of skin with hundreds of tiny teeth. Basically, it feels like sandpaper. A stiff strip of cartilage places the radula on the source of food. Then, the radula pulls the flexible skin along the cartilage. After the radula takes in the food, it goes through a perplexing digestive maze. It goes to the digestive glands and then to the intestines. Shortly after, wastes are removed by the anus and useful nutrients are sent to the mouth. The wastes are sent out in solid to prevent any type of liquid passing over the organism's gills.
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/9/8/29987343/3226934.jpg)
Cuttlefish
The cuttlefish's digestive system is fairly simple. It starts off with the beak crushing the food. Particles are sent down the mouth and into and through the esophagus, much like humans. The food arrives in the stomach and is passed down into the intestines, where it is digested. Cells lining glands in the stomach take the nutrients from food and pass them into the blood. To round out the process, wastes are passed out through the anus.
The cuttlefish's digestive system is fairly simple. It starts off with the beak crushing the food. Particles are sent down the mouth and into and through the esophagus, much like humans. The food arrives in the stomach and is passed down into the intestines, where it is digested. Cells lining glands in the stomach take the nutrients from food and pass them into the blood. To round out the process, wastes are passed out through the anus.
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/9/8/29987343/9284854.jpg)
Octopus
Octopus have over 300 recognized species. They are one of the smartest animals on Earth. They live in the ocean usually on the ocean floor or in a coral reef. They are very strategic when it comes to defense against predators. They can either use their ink or rocket through the water to defend themselves and escape from predators. The digestive system of the octopus is much more complex and different than most organisms.
An octopus has a two way digestive system consisting of a mouth and an anus. The octopus usually looks to feed on lobsters, crab, and shrimp. They have three different methods to obtain their food. First method consists of the octopus tearing open the shell using their strength. If that doesn't work they bite through the shell by the use of their beak. If all else fails, they turn to drilling through the shell. The octopus will then create a toxin that immobilizes their prey, making it easy to consume their food. After consuming their prey, the food is digested in the digestive sac and stomach and wastes are released through the anus.
Octopus have over 300 recognized species. They are one of the smartest animals on Earth. They live in the ocean usually on the ocean floor or in a coral reef. They are very strategic when it comes to defense against predators. They can either use their ink or rocket through the water to defend themselves and escape from predators. The digestive system of the octopus is much more complex and different than most organisms.
An octopus has a two way digestive system consisting of a mouth and an anus. The octopus usually looks to feed on lobsters, crab, and shrimp. They have three different methods to obtain their food. First method consists of the octopus tearing open the shell using their strength. If that doesn't work they bite through the shell by the use of their beak. If all else fails, they turn to drilling through the shell. The octopus will then create a toxin that immobilizes their prey, making it easy to consume their food. After consuming their prey, the food is digested in the digestive sac and stomach and wastes are released through the anus.
![Picture](/uploads/2/9/9/8/29987343/322568.jpeg)
Scallops
Scallops are filter feeders and contain a complete digestive system. They make water enter their mantle an expel the water through the excurrent siphon. While water is in the mantle, the cilia and mucus on the gills catch particles of food and transport them to the mouth. When in the mouth, food passes through the esophagus and into the stomach where digestion takes place. From there, the food moves through the heart and into the intestine, which is where digestion takes place again. Waste moves from the intestine to the anus and then eliminated from the body.
Scallops are filter feeders and contain a complete digestive system. They make water enter their mantle an expel the water through the excurrent siphon. While water is in the mantle, the cilia and mucus on the gills catch particles of food and transport them to the mouth. When in the mouth, food passes through the esophagus and into the stomach where digestion takes place. From there, the food moves through the heart and into the intestine, which is where digestion takes place again. Waste moves from the intestine to the anus and then eliminated from the body.