Characteristics of Phylum Platyhelminthes

The following are the main characteristics of Platyhelminthes:

• They are both parasitic and free-living in nature.
• They have a bilateral symmetry.
• They have three germ layers and are known as triploblastic organisms.
• They lack cavities in them so they are recognized as Acoelomates.
• They lack Cilia and have a soft covering over their body.
• Platyhelminthes lack segmentation so no segments can be seen in them and they are dorsoventrally flattened.
• They have a mouth for ingestion but they lack an anus and a digestive system.
• Respiration is done via the body’s surface through Simple Diffusion.
• In the same body, both male and female sex organs are present. Hence, they are called Hermaphrodites.
• Reproduction occurs via both methods. Sexually they reproduce by fusion of gametes and asexually they reproduce by Fission and Regeneration.
• Internal fertilization is seen in this phylum.
• One too many larval stages are seen in their life cycles.
• Transportation of food is done by the fluid and connective tissues present in the space between body walls and organs.

Phylum Platyhelminthes is a phylum of invertebrates that consists of organisms that are bilaterally symmetrical and unsegmented. Usually, species in this phylum are known as flatworms or tapeworms as they have flat bodies. These are dual-parasitic and free-living. They are a part of Kingdom Animalia.

Examples of Platyhelminthes are Schistosoma mansoni, Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Dugesia tigrina, etc. They are responsible for multiple diseases in humans like Schistosomiasis and Cysticercosis. Meat and Fish should be properly cooked to avoid infection from these organisms.