Coelom
Coelom is one of the characteristic features of metazoans. The true coelom is a body cavity formed during embryo development from the three germinal layers. The body cavity meaning a fluid filled space that can accomodate organs. The coelom is lined by mesodermal epithelium cells. Presence or absence of coelom is one of the criteria for classifying animals.
Fig :- coelom
Animal Kingdom:-
1. Acoelomate(no coelom)
Ex:-Porifera ; Coelenterata ; Ctenophora; Platyhelminthes
2. Pseudocoelomate(false coelom)
Ex :- Aschelminthes
3. Coelomate(true coelom)
Ex :- Annelida ; Arthropoda ; Mollusca ;
Echinodermata ;Hemichordata ;Chordata
Coelom Definition
“The coelom is the fluid-filled body cavity present between the alimentary canal and the body wall.”
The true coelom has a mesodermal origin. It is lined by mesoderm. The peritoneal cavity present in the abdomen and similar spaces around other organs such as lungs, heart are parts of the coelom. Coelom differs in its structure and formation process.
Types of Coelom
There are three types of structural body formation present in animals related to coelom: -
1. Acoelomate:
Coelom is absent. The blastocoel is completely occupied by mesoderm. E.g. Porifera, Coelenterata and Flatworms (Platyhelminthes). There is only spongocoel or coelenteron present.
2. Pseudocoelomate:
True coelom is not present. The blastocoel is partly filled by mesodermal cells. The body cavity is lined by mesoderm only towards the body wall and mesoderm is not present towards the gut. E.g. Roundworms (Aschelminthes)
3. Eucoelomate:
Animals that have a true coelom. The coelom is lined by mesoderm on both the sides, towards the body wall and towards the gut. The blastocoel present in the gastrula gets completely replaced by a true coelom. The body organs are suspended in the coelom by mesenteries. E.g. from the phylum Annelida to Chordata.