O2k-Publications: Nematodes

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Phylum: Nemata

The word Nematoda comes from the Greek words nematos, meaning thread, and eidos, meaning form.

Nematodes are multicellular, structurally simple organisms. Adult nematodes are comprised of approximately 1,000 somatic cells, and potentially hundreds of cells associated with the reproductive system . Nematodes have been characterized as a‚ tube within a tube, referring to the alimentary canal which extends from the mouth on the anterior end, to the anus located near the tail. Nematodes possess digestive, nervous, excretory, and reproductive systems, but lack a discrete circulatory or respiratory system. In size they range from 0.3 mm to over 8 meters.

For more information and a species list (listed alphabetically by genera) visit: UNL Nematology

See:

• O2k-Publications: Caenorhabditis elegans listed as model organism.

C. elegans is used mainly for the study of developmental biology and aging research and the intact organism is a perfect model for the O2k.