GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Echinoderms possess a unique ambulacral or water vascular system, consisting of a central ring canal and radial canals that extend along each arm. Water circulates through these structures and facilitates gaseous exchange as well as nutrition, predation, and locomotion.

Detailed explanation-2: -The system is composed of canals connecting numerous tube feet. Echinoderms move by alternately contracting muscles that force water into the tube feet, causing them to extend and push against the ground, then relaxing to allow the feet to retract.

Detailed explanation-3: -All echinoderms have a water-vascular system, a set of water-filled canals branching from a ring canal that encircles the gut. The canals lead to podia, or tube feet, which are sucker-like appendages that the echinoderm can use to move, grip the substrate, or manipulate objects.

Detailed explanation-4: -An echinoderm moves by using many tube feet. Tube feet are small, delicate projections attached along the side of a water-filled tube called a radial canal. Figure 3.85 shows some examples of echinoderm tube feet. Tube feet extend through the small holes in the skeleton to the outside.

Detailed explanation-5: -Water-vascular system. The water-vascular system, which functions in the movement of tube feet, is a characteristic feature of echinoderms, and evidence of its existence has been found in even the oldest fossil forms.