Where Would You Locate the Coelomic Cavity When Dissecting a Mollusk

Question

Where would you locate the coelomic cavity when dissecting a mollusk such as a clam?
A)The coelom is between the mantle and the shell
B)The coelom is all of the area enclosed by the two shells and exposed when you open the shell
C)The cavity around the heart,the kidneys,and the lumen of the gonads forms the limited coelom
D)The cavities inside the siphon are the coelom
E)The coelom is the space inside small tubules that form the gills

Accepted Answer

In a mollusk such as a clam, the coelomic cavity is limited and forms a cavity around the heart, kidneys, and the lumen of the gonads. This option accurately describes the location of the coelomic cavity in mollusks. Option A is incorrect because the coelom is not between the mantle and the shell, but rather, it surrounds the organs. Option B is incorrect because the area between the two shells is called the mantle cavity. Option D is incorrect because the cavities inside the siphon are not part of the coelomic cavity. Option E is incorrect because the space inside small tubules that form the gills is not the coelom, but rather the gill cavity.