Mesoglea is essentially the jelly-like substance found between the inner and outer layers of certain simple aquatic animals.
Understanding Mesoglea
The mesoglea serves as a structural component and plays a crucial role in the body plan of organisms like sponges and coelenterates (which include jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones). According to the provided definition, mesoglea (pronounced ˌmez-ə-ˈglē-ə or ˌmes-) is:
a jellylike material between the endoderm and ectoderm of sponges and coelenterates.
Key Characteristics:
- Location: Situated between the endoderm (inner layer) and ectoderm (outer layer) of these animals.
- Consistency: Described as jellylike.
- Function: Provides support and flexibility.
Role in Different Organisms:
- Sponges: In sponges, the mesoglea is a relatively simple matrix containing wandering cells called amoebocytes, which help with nutrient transport and skeletal support.
- Coelenterates: In coelenterates, the mesoglea can be acellular (containing no cells) or contain cells of various types. It can be thin and transparent (like in jellyfish) or thicker and more substantial (like in sea anemones). In jellyfish, the mesoglea makes up the bulk of their body mass, enabling their characteristic floatation.
Summary Table
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Definition | Jellylike material between endoderm and ectoderm |
Organisms | Sponges and Coelenterates |
Function | Structural support, flexibility, nutrient transport (in some organisms) |