What is a radula used for?
The radula is the anatomical structure used for feeding in most species of Mollusca. Previous studies have revealed that radulae can be adapted to the food or the substrate the food lies on, but the real, in vivo forces exerted by this organ on substrates and the stresses that are transmitted by the teeth are unknown.
What animals have a radula?
The radula is unique to the molluscs, and is found in every class of mollusc except the bivalves, which instead use cilia, waving filaments that bring minute organisms to the mouth. Within the gastropods, the radula is used in feeding by both herbivorous and carnivorous snails and slugs.
What are the three major classes of mollusks?
Some of these characteristics are the presence of a shell, the type of shell, the type of foot, the arrangement of teeth in the radula, and the complexity of the nervous system. The three major groups of mollusks are gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods (SEF ul o pods).
What does a radula look like?
As for the radula itself. it is a ribbon-like structure covered with many denticles (tiny teeth). It is movable over the odontophore and is also controlled by muscles. The feeding behavior of marine snails include some that are herbivores, detritus (debris) feeders, scavengers and predatory carnivores.
What is radula Where is it located?
The radula is feeding organ of molluscs. It is a minutely toothed, chitinous ribbon, which is used for scraping or cutting food before food enters into the oesophagus. It is found in gastropods and hence found in Pila sp.
How is the radula used in feeding?
The radula is used in feeding: muscles extrude the radula from the mouth, spread it out, and then slide it over the supporting odontophore, carrying particles or pieces of food and debris into the esophagus.
Where is a radula?
mouth
Most Mollusks (with the exception of bivalves) have a specialized feeding organ within the mouth called the radula. The mouth opens into a pocket-like buccal cavity. Inside this cavity is the radula sac which protects the mouth when the radula is not in use.