Which animals have radial symmetry

International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. This is a question and answer forum for students, teachers and general visitors for exchanging articles, answers and notes. Answer Now and help others. Answer Now. Here's how it works: Anybody can ask a question Anybody can answer The best answers are voted up and rise to the top.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Do not sell my personal information. Cookie Settings Accept. Manage consent. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.

Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.

Necessary Necessary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.

The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". An animal with radial symmetry really has no right and left side or head and rear end. Radial symmetry is ideal for animals that do not move, so they can reach into their environment on all sides. Consider the starfish as an example of radial symmetry. Animals with bilateral symmetry can be divided only into mirror halves through a single plane.

Higher animals that move are normally bilateral, with matching left and right sides. Bilateral symmetry is associated with having a head or leading end of a body that encounters the environment first, so the sense organs like eyes and mouth are usually there. Bilateral symmetry often gives animals more streamlined shapes for moving through their environments.

You, your dog and his fleas are bilateral. Animals with radial symmetry tend to have a surface that contains a mouth at the center, and they can reach out in all directions to gather food for that mouth.

Key Points Animals with radial symmetry have no right or left sides, only a top or bottom; these species are usually marine organisms like jellyfish and corals.

Only sponges phylum Porifera have asymmetrical body plans. Some animals start life with one type of body symmetry, but develop a different type as adults; for example, sea stars are classified as bilaterally symmetrical even though their adult forms are radially symmetrical. Key Terms sagittal plane : divides the body into right and left halves radial symmetry : a form of symmetry wherein identical parts are arranged in a circular fashion around a central axis bilateral symmetry : having equal arrangement of parts symmetry about a vertical plane running from head to tail.

Animal Characterization Based on Body Symmetry At a very basic level of classification, true animals can be largely divided into three groups based on the type of symmetry of their body plan: radially symmetrical, bilaterally symmetrical, and asymmetrical. Radial Symmetry Radial symmetry is the arrangement of body parts around a central axis, like rays on a sun or pieces in a pie. Bilateral Symmetry Bilateral symmetry involves the division of the animal through a sagittal plane, resulting in two mirror-image, right and left halves, such as those of a butterfly, crab, or human body.

Asymmetry Only members of the phylum Porifera sponges have no body plan symmetry.