GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Most sea stars are predators. They eat mussels, clams, and other bivalves. Occasionally, they catch small fish.

Detailed explanation-2: -Some species of sea star use their water vascular systems to pry open the shells of bivalve molluscs, such as clams and mussels, then injecting their first stomach into the shells. With the stomach inside the shell, the sea star is able to partly digest the mollusc.

Detailed explanation-3: -The starfish forces open the shell with suction disks on the underside of its body, and then inserts its stomach membranes through its mouth into the opening of the shell. Digestive juices break down the shellfish’s body, which is then absorbed into the starfish’s stomach.

Detailed explanation-4: -Starfish are mostly carnivores and scavengers. Other species are omnivores. These organisms feed on slow-moving creatures like bivalves, gastropods, polychaetes, and barnacles. Other starfish feed on planktons, organic detritus, and fish.

Detailed explanation-5: -A starfish feeds on animals covered by hard shells of calcium carbonate. After opening the shell, the starfish pops out its stomach through its mouth to eat the soft animal inside the shell. Various digestive enzymes aid the breakdown of this food.