Question

In tunicates, the anus empties into the excurrent siphon. what is the advantage of this anatomical arrangement?

Answer 1

In tunicates, having the anus empty into the excurrent siphon expels waste away from the organism, preventing contamination of their feeding system and maintaining a clean environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The anatomical arrangement of the anus emptying into the excurrent siphon in tunicates provides notable advantages. Most tunicates are stationary, which means they rely on water movement around them for essential processes like feeding and excretion. The incurrent siphon brings in water that contains food particles and plankton, which are then filtered by the pharyngeal slits and trapped in a mucus net. This filtered material is then ingested and processed by the digestive system. The presence of the anus in the excurrent siphon is beneficial as it ensures that waste is expelled in a directed manner, away from the animal, through the excurrent siphon. This efficient waste elimination helps to prevent contamination of the suspension feeding system and maintains the organism's living environment clean from their own excreted waste, which is crucial for an organism living in a fixed location.

Answer 2

TUNICATES are hermphrodite, with their general excurrent pore. They can release sperm and eggs through this structure. These organisms are considered filter feeder eating mianly plankton. Adults, are sessile and form a leathery tunic hence the name. This tunic supports and protects the animal. They have 2 openigs in the body the oral siphone and atrial siphone, Oral siphon sucks water into the animal and the atrial siphon squirts out the water from the animal's body.