GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Each brittle star has a distinct central disk and five skinny, flexible arms. The central disk is made up of a skeleton of calcium carbonate and contains all the internal organs. Brittle stars’ arms twist and coil to help them move across the seafloor.

Detailed explanation-2: -Brittle Stars are part of the benthic (bottom feeding) fauna found in the marine environment. They are broadly referred to as Echinoderms, classified in the Phylum Echinodermata which are marine animals having radial symmetry with five parts, often with spines.

Detailed explanation-3: -Ophiuroids exhibit the three distinctive characteristics of the phylum Echinodermata: a body plan with five part symmetry (pentaradial), an internal calcium carbonate skeleton in the mineral form of calcite, and a water vascular system of fluid-filled vessels that end in tube feet.

Detailed explanation-4: -Brittle stars belong to the class Ophiuroidea. Unlike sea stars, which have plump arms, brittle stars have long, thin arms that are sharply demarcated from the central disk. Brittle stars move by lashing out their arms or wrapping them around objects and pulling themselves forward.