Putting the Jelly Back in Jellyfish Quiz

Answer: True

A jellyfish eats food through its mouth, which can be found on the bottom of its body, also known as the bell. They excrete through the same opening. A bit gross, don't you think.

The interior of a jellyfish includes the gastrovascular cavity. Digestion takes place here and the nutrients are absorbed. Compared to higher organisms, jellyfish organs in general are rather primitive.

Answer: a form of jet propulsion

To move forward, the jellyfish makes a jet of water that moves it quickly forwards. The jellyfish also drifts on water currents to move; though this could be taken as the answer 'smooth, slow, hardly any movement', this does not describe how it pounces. Different species of jellyfish have different levels of activity in their movement.

Answer: True

They get on just fine without these, vital to most other living creatures, though their senses are very primitive. The jellyfish does not have a brain, but instead a nerve net in the epidermis. The jellyfish also lacks a respiratory system since it is able to diffuse air through its skin. Its lack of blood means it also has no heart or circulatory system.

Answer: False

The skin of the jellyfish has three layers. The outer layer is the epidermis, then they have the inner layer and of course the middle layer which has in it a thick substance known as the mesoglea. All play an extremely important role for the jellyfish.

The epidermis serves as a barrier to infections. It also controls the release of water from the body.
The mesolega is approximately 95% water. It helps form the structure, so to speak, of the jellyfish.
The inner layer contains specialized cells that play several roles including gas exchange and digestion.

Answer: False

There are actually about 200 species of 'true jellyfish.' The 'true' jellyfish species include moon jellies, Mediterranean jellyfish, sea nettles (known for stinging very painfully), lion's mane jellyfish (which can be HUGE), blue jellies, and many other lesser known species. A bit farther out in the family tree are corals and cnidarans.

Answer: True

The lion's mane jelly has been reported to be the biggest recorded jellyfish. The Irukandji jellyfish is reported to be the smallest. In measurement terms, jellyfish range from a fraction of an inch to roughly human sized. This doesn't include the full extension of the tentacles.

Answer: True

Jellyfish live less than one year on average, however the smallest species of the jellyfish may live only a few days. They have just enough time to mate, and then they die. The lifespan of many jellyfish is relatively complex with both sexual and asexual phases as well as mobile and sessile stages. There are some rare cases where jellyfish live for multiple years.

Answer: False

Surprisingly, jellyfish are quite edible. Many people are known to eat jellyfish, and they have been said to be 'delicious'. In various cultures fried jellyfish is popular, and in many restaurants around the world they are treated as a delicacy. Jellyfish are not usually eaten raw.

Answer: False

The word 'jellyfish' is a common term used to describe animals that are made up of 'jelly-like' material. They are all invertebrates lacking bones.

The dictionary definition for a jellyfish is a 'jelly-like sea creature'. This reflects highly on the fact that the jellyfish lives in the water. Jellyfish die on land. If one was to go to Australia, for example, during the summer seasons washed up jellyfish are very commonly found along the sand.

Answer: Carnivorous

Jellyfish feed on small fish, other jellyfish, plankton and fish roe. Jellyfish generally do not consume plant life.