Question

Define visceral mass and tell what protects it.

A. The internal organ system; protected by the exoskeleton
B. The body cavity; protected by the mesoderm
C. The central nervous system; protected by the skull
D. The soft body mass containing organs; protected by the mantle

Answer 1

The visceral mass refers to the soft body mass containing internal organs in mollusks, protected by the mantle(option d).

Step-by-step explanation:

The visceral mass is a term used to describe the soft body mass in mollusks that contains the internal organs such as the digestive, nervous, excretory, reproductive, and respiratory systems. It is typically located above the foot within the visceral hump. In mollusks, this mass is protected by the mantle, which is a significant organ that forms the outer layer of the body and can secrete the shell in some species. The visceral mass and the mantle cavity play a crucial role in the life of a mollusk, not just for protection but also for physiological functions like respiration.

In the context of the provided answer choices, the correct option that defines visceral mass and what protects it is D. The soft body mass containing organs; protected by the mantle.