The phylum in which adults exhibit radial symmetry and larva exhibit b...
Symmetry is an attribute of an organism showing regularity in body parts on a plane or around an axis. In Phylum Echinodermata, the adult echinoderms are radially symmetrical but the larvae are bilaterally symmetrical.
The phylum in which adults exhibit radial symmetry and larva exhibit b...
Phylum Echinodermata is the correct answer. Let's understand why.
Radial Symmetry in Adults:
Echinoderms exhibit radial symmetry in their adult stage. The body parts are arranged around a central axis, and any plane passing through the center divides the body into equal halves. The radial symmetry allows the animal to capture food from all directions and move in any direction.
Bilateral Symmetry in Larva:
However, echinoderm larvae exhibit bilateral symmetry. This means that the animal can only be divided into two equal halves by a single plane passing through the midline. This is an adaptation to their free-swimming larval stage, which requires directional movement.
Other Phyla:
Phylum Arthropoda exhibits bilateral symmetry in both adults and larvae. Phylum Annelida and Phylum Aschelminthes also exhibit bilateral symmetry in both stages.
Therefore, the only phylum that exhibits radial symmetry in adults and bilateral symmetry in larvae is Phylum Echinodermata.