Ocean and Starfish Come
We see stars on the television or in movies. We see stars amongst dark starry nights. We have all seen the obvious types of stars but have we ever stopped to think about the star in the ocean? Echinoderms or starfish also known as the “stars of the sea” are very interesting marine animals that breathe out of their pores, and are able to regenerate their own arms. I don’t know about you but that is the most interesting thing I have ever heard.
To begin with, the starfish started out about half a billion years ago they are cousins to the sea cucumber and sea urchin. All three of them are a part of a large marine group called echinoderms. Starfish usually go by the name “sea star”. There are many types of starfish. Over 1,600 different species to be exact!
Furthermore, starfish come in a variety of colors consisting of browns, oranges, pinks, reds, yellows, and blues. Their arms are the only parts of their body that can be regenerated. Even if its arms are cut into several pieces, those pieces can form new starfish. When it comes to their size they range from a centimeter to three feet. Starfish have thick “arms” called central disks. Some have up to forty arms or more. Even though some have up to forty arms they are all based on five part symmetry. Now you’re probably wondering what controls all of those arms. Starfish do not have a face or a brain. A nerve ring, which is located at the center of the starfish acts like a brain. A nerve ring coordinates all of the movement in their arms. Under the skin the skeleton has bony platelets. The platelets are tied to one another which help with the flexibility and strength. The outer part of the starfish is soft flexible or mesh skin. The outer part located at the bottom of the starfish has thousands of little tube feet. The tube feet help the starfish seek food and sense danger. The topside of the starfish or their backs is actually spines and/or pincers.
In addition, starfish are surprisingly carnivores. They
To begin with, the starfish started out about half a billion years ago they are cousins to the sea cucumber and sea urchin. All three of them are a part of a large marine group called echinoderms. Starfish usually go by the name “sea star”. There are many types of starfish. Over 1,600 different species to be exact!
Furthermore, starfish come in a variety of colors consisting of browns, oranges, pinks, reds, yellows, and blues. Their arms are the only parts of their body that can be regenerated. Even if its arms are cut into several pieces, those pieces can form new starfish. When it comes to their size they range from a centimeter to three feet. Starfish have thick “arms” called central disks. Some have up to forty arms or more. Even though some have up to forty arms they are all based on five part symmetry. Now you’re probably wondering what controls all of those arms. Starfish do not have a face or a brain. A nerve ring, which is located at the center of the starfish acts like a brain. A nerve ring coordinates all of the movement in their arms. Under the skin the skeleton has bony platelets. The platelets are tied to one another which help with the flexibility and strength. The outer part of the starfish is soft flexible or mesh skin. The outer part located at the bottom of the starfish has thousands of little tube feet. The tube feet help the starfish seek food and sense danger. The topside of the starfish or their backs is actually spines and/or pincers.
In addition, starfish are surprisingly carnivores. They