Saturday, February 24, 2007

Excretion


Flatworms can get rid of carbon dioxide and other wastes by allowing them to diffuse out of their body walls. Freshwater flatworms (i.e. Planarians) have flame cells, structures which get rid of extra water by joining many cells together to from a network that empties through tiny pores in the animal’s skin. Flame cells function like a kidney, removing waste materials. They get their name from the beating of the cilia on them, resembling a flame. The inner surface of the cell is coated in flagella. The beating of the cilia and flagella help move liquid through the cell.
Like flatworms, roundworms also allow diffusion to accomplish their excretion.

No comments: