CIONA INTESTINALIS Meaning and
Definition
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Ciona intestinalis, commonly known as the sea squirt, is a marine invertebrate species belonging to the phylum Chordata and the class Ascidiacea. It is a sessile filter feeder that typically resides in shallow coastal waters, attaching itself to various submerged surfaces such as rocks, shells, or underwater structures.
The body of Ciona intestinalis is tubular in shape, with two siphons present at one end. The larger oral siphon draws in water, while the smaller atrial siphon expels it. These siphons help facilitate the passage of water through the sea squirt's body, aiding in both feeding and respiration.
The outer body of Ciona intestinalis is covered in a leathery tunic, which helps protect and support its structure. The coloration of the sea squirt can vary, but it is often translucent or pale yellow. Some individuals may also exhibit mottled patterns or slight pigmentation.
Ciona intestinalis feeds by filtering small particles and phytoplankton from the water it draws in through its oral siphon. These particles are captured by a specialized filtering structure called a pharynx, where nutrients are absorbed before the remaining water is expelled through the atrial siphon.
As a species with a simple body plan and genetic makeup, Ciona intestinalis has become a model organism for various scientific studies, especially in the fields of developmental biology and evolutionary biology. It offers valuable insights into the early evolution of chordates and the mechanisms underlying certain processes like cellular differentiation and genome regulation.
Common Misspellings for CIONA INTESTINALIS
- xiona intestinalis
- viona intestinalis
- fiona intestinalis
- diona intestinalis
- cuona intestinalis
- cjona intestinalis
- ckona intestinalis
- coona intestinalis
- c9ona intestinalis
- c8ona intestinalis
- ciina intestinalis
- cikna intestinalis
- cilna intestinalis
- cipna intestinalis
- ci0na intestinalis
- ci9na intestinalis
- cioba intestinalis
- cioma intestinalis
- cioja intestinalis
- cioha intestinalis
Etymology of CIONA INTESTINALIS
The word "Ciona intestinalis" is derived from Latin and Greek.
"Ciona" comes from the Latin word "cion" meaning 'stalk' or 'tube'. It refers to the tubular nature of the creature.
"intestinalis" comes from the Latin word "intestinum" meaning 'intestine'. This is because of the peculiar structure of its branchial sac, which resembles the intestines.
So, when combined, "Ciona intestinalis" translates to something like 'tube intestine' or 'intestinal tube', reflecting the distinguishing features of this species.
