GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Echinodermata is a phylum of about 7000 living species distributed among five classes: Echinoidea (sea urchins and sand dollars), Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers), Ophiuroidea (brittle stars), Asteroidea (sea stars), and Crinoidea (feather stars and sea lilies).

Detailed explanation-2: -Examples of echinoderms include sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, and feather stars (Fig. 3.83). Although they may appear very different, echinoderms all have two major defining characteristics that set them apart from all other animals: a water vascular system and five-sided radial symmetry.

Detailed explanation-3: -The phylum echinoderms is divided into five extant classes: Asteroidea (sea stars), Ophiuroidea (brittle stars), Echinoidea (sea urchins and sand dollars), Crinoidea (sea lilies or feather stars), and Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers).

Detailed explanation-4: -Today, Echinodermata is a diverse phylum, with numerous species in five classes: Asteroidea (star fish), Crinoidea (sea lilies and feather stars), Echinoidea (sea urchins and sand dollars), Holothuroidea (sea cucumbers), and Ophiuroidea (brittle stars).