COURSE CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

There are 9 lessons in this course. Each lesson features an assignment which the student completes and submits to the school for marking. The tutor will provide feedback to the student on their assignment including comments and suggestions for any further reading.

Students have access to our tutors for the duration of their studies.

There are 9 lessons in this course.

LESSON AIMS

• Describe the scope and nature of invertebrate animals; including similarities and differences between different groups of invertebrates.
• Describe and compare the structure and function of animals that cannot be seen readily with the naked eye.
• Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different worms and worm like animals.
• Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different sponges, corals and anemones.
• Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different molluscs and echinoderms.
• Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different arthropods.
• Explain the significance of arthropods to man 
• Describe and compare the structure and function of a variety of different insects.
• Explain the significance of insects to man.

Learn about Invertebrate Animals.

• Learn about the different types of invertebrates - from microscopic invertebrates to more common types of insect.

• Study invertebrate anatomy, biology and behaviours. 

• Understand how invertebrates form part of the planet's ecology and their relevance to man.

A course for:

• Students of Biology.
• Farmers, Gardeners, Pest Controllers.
• Environmental managers.
• Anyone working in human health, veterinary care.
• Anyone else with an interest in or passion for invertebrate animals.

FROM MICROSCOPIC ORGANISMS TO COMPLEX INSECTS

The simplest invertebrates tend to come from the microscopic world. Some microscopic animals belong to taxonomic groups that are not represented in the visible world; but others (e.g. Arachnids and worms) are animals that have both large visible representatives, as well as tiny microscopic representatives. Many of these microscopic animals are found in aquatic habitats, where they feed on algae and organic detritus. They play an important role in the carbon cycle of our oceans and water bodies,  recycling organic matter and providing food sources for animals higher up the food chain.  They also display fascinating anatomies and biological processes, uniquely adapted to the biological niche they occupy. Their body structures and unique biological processes may also provide insights in  evolutionary biology, and the early stages of life on earth.

Most insects have an exoskeleton which is usually comprised of chiton, and this contributes to protection of the internal systems as well as provides attachments for muscles.  Insects are approximately 0.2 to 20mm in size.  Many insects have wings to fly, or wing like structures at some stage of their life, but not all species.  Flight in insects is thought to be twice as efficient as the flight of birds.  

Insect bodies consist of the head, segmented thorax and segmented abdomen.  All species have a complex digestive system and also contain a respiratory system.  Insects are extremely diverse, not only in species diversity, but also geographically and in their feeding habits.  Their mouths are usually designed to their feeding habits.  Winged species are placed into the subclass Pterygota and wings are one attribute which has allowed their success.  Most primitive winged species will hold their wings over the back of their body, or out to the side.  Some species have four wings which work independently such as Stoneflies (Plecoptera), Cockroaches (Dictyoptera), Web spinners (Embioptera), Locusts and Grasshoppers (Orthoptera), Termites (Isoptera), Earwigs (Dermaptera) and Stick insects (Phasmida).  

Metamorphosis occurs and in many species is quite variable.  Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) larvae are aquatic and will thrive in freshwater streams feeding on available algae.  Once maturity is reached, Mayflies will moult twice, and they will mate then die.  Dragon Flies and Damsel Flies (Odonata) are predacious as both the larvae stage and as an adult.  
Females usually release pheromones to allow males to know they are receptive for reproduction.  Fertilisation is usually internal and many female species can store the sperm within their abdomen.  

Once hatched some species are of their adult form and will require a series of ecdysis to take place.  This process involve the shedding of the exoskeleton.  In most species however the young appear nothing like their adult form and will require metamorphosis to take place before maturing.  

Insects can be prey for predatory species.  As humans, we can utilise insects as decomposers, pest control agents, pollinators and producers of products such as honey or silk.  They can also have a negative impact on humans by being disease transmitters.  Some main are outlined below, however there are many which affect a variety of species. 

• Malaria is a protozoa and its vector is the Mosquito (Culicidae).  
• Bubonic Plague, a bacterium, killed around 40% of the European population around 1347.  Its vector was primarily the rat flea. 
• Lyme disease is also a bacterium which is vectored by some species of the Tick.

Unlike vertebrates, invertebrates also include a wide array of types. 

This course covers invertebrates from those you cannot see to those that you will be more than familiar with.  As such, it provides a great subject to study for personal as well as professional development.

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