Symmetry In Biology Practice Worksheet Worksheet - Free Printable

Symmetry in Biology Practice Worksheet

Let's solve the problems step by step.

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#### Problem 1:
a. What kind of symmetry does the warm, fuzzy animal to the right have?

The image shows a spider. Spiders exhibit radial symmetry because their body parts are arranged around a central axis, and they have multiple planes of symmetry (e.g., through the legs).

Answer: Radial symmetry

b. Draw the plane of symmetry through the animal.

To draw the plane of symmetry for the spider:
- Imagine a vertical line passing through the center of the spider's body, dividing it into two equal halves.
- This plane would cut through the spider's head, thorax, and abdomen, showing that both sides are mirror images of each other.

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#### Problem 2:
Look at the figures below. Determine whether they have bilateral symmetry, radial symmetry, or are asymmetrical.

1. Figure a (Seahorse):
- Seahorses have a distinct left-right symmetry but no rotational symmetry.
- Symmetry type: Bilateral symmetry

2. Figure b (Snowflake):
- Snowflakes have multiple axes of symmetry and can be rotated to look the same.
- Symmetry type: Radial symmetry

3. Figure c (Horseshoe):
- The horseshoe has a single axis of symmetry (left-right).
- Symmetry type: Bilateral symmetry

4. Figure d (Letter "S"):
- The letter "S" does not have any axis of symmetry or rotational symmetry.
- Symmetry type: Asymmetrical

Answers:
- a: Bilateral symmetry
- b: Radial symmetry
- c: Bilateral symmetry
- d: Asymmetrical

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#### Problem 3:
Look at the images below. Determine what kind of symmetry they have. Then look back in your notes and identify what phylum they are a part of.

We will analyze each animal/image and fill in the table accordingly.

| Animal | Phylum | Symmetry |
|------------|-----------------|----------------|
| Snail | Mollusca | Bilateral |
| Fish | Chordata | Bilateral |
| Earthworm | Annelida | Bilateral |
| Anemone | Cnidaria | Radial |
| Frog | Chordata | Bilateral |
| Jellyfish | Cnidaria | Radial |
| Starfish | Echinodermata | Radial |
| Alligator | Chordata | Bilateral |
| Crayfish | Arthropoda | Bilateral |
| Ant | Arthropoda | Bilateral |
| Elephant | Chordata | Bilateral |
| Coral | Cnidaria | Radial |

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Explanation of Each Animal:

1. Snail (Mollusca):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Snails have a distinct left-right symmetry.

2. Fish (Chordata):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Fish have a symmetrical body with a clear left-right axis.

3. Earthworm (Annelida):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Earthworms have a segmented body with left-right symmetry.

4. Anemone (Cnidaria):
- Symmetry: Radial
- Reason: Anemones have multiple axes of symmetry and can be rotated to look the same.

5. Frog (Chordata):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Frogs have a distinct left-right symmetry.

6. Jellyfish (Cnidaria):
- Symmetry: Radial
- Reason: Jellyfish have multiple axes of symmetry and can be rotated to look the same.

7. Starfish (Echinodermata):
- Symmetry: Radial
- Reason: Starfish have five arms radiating from a central point.

8. Alligator (Chordata):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Alligators have a distinct left-right symmetry.

9. Crayfish (Arthropoda):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Crayfish have a symmetrical body with a clear left-right axis.

10. Ant (Arthropoda):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Ants have a symmetrical body with a clear left-right axis.

11. Elephant (Chordata):
- Symmetry: Bilateral
- Reason: Elephants have a distinct left-right symmetry.

12. Coral (Cnidaria):
- Symmetry: Radial
- Reason: Corals have multiple axes of symmetry and can be rotated to look the same.

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Final Answer:

\[
\boxed{
\begin{array}{|c|c|c|}
\hline
\text{Animal} & \text{Phylum} & \text{Symmetry} \\
\hline
\text{Snail} & \text{Mollusca} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Fish} & \text{Chordata} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Earthworm} & \text{Annelida} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Anemone} & \text{Cnidaria} & \text{Radial} \\
\text{Frog} & \text{Chordata} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Jellyfish} & \text{Cnidaria} & \text{Radial} \\
\text{Starfish} & \text{Echinodermata} & \text{Radial} \\
\text{Alligator} & \text{Chordata} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Crayfish} & \text{Arthropoda} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Ant} & \text{Arthropoda} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Elephant} & \text{Chordata} & \text{Bilateral} \\
\text{Coral} & \text{Cnidaria} & \text{Radial} \\
\hline
\end{array}
}
\]