In: Biology
How do tapeworms obtain food and carry out gas exchange?
Flatworms belong to phylum platyhelminthes of the modern system of animal classification. These specialized worms have a flat body with bilateral body symmetry. They have unique mode of nutrition and respiration which can be discussed as below:
Nutrition: Flatworms carry a dedicated simple digestive system and mostly follow parasitic mode of nutrition. These organisms have hook-like teeth in their mouth which help them to attach themselves in the body of the host. They usually suck blood and nutrition using their hooks and mouth-like structure. This ingested material is digested in their body which supports growth.
Gaseous exchange: The flatworms lack a dedicated respiratory system in their body and thus gaseous exchange takes place via diffusion of gases across the moist surface of the worm. Thus, simple diffusion mediated gaseous exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place in these organisms.