Question

Describe the types of symmetry in animals.

Answer 1

Animals are classified into a basic way of symmetry where they fall into three main categories. These symmetries are characteristics that suit the animal’s lifestyle. The body parts are arranged according to the center of the body.

Complete answer:
The body plan on the type of symmetry are grouped as:

Radial symmetry- In this type of symmetry, the body parts are arranged on the center axis of the body. The animals that are radially symmetrical have top and bottom surfaces, but they do not have front and back or left and right. The corals, sea anemones, and many types of jellies have this kind of body plan. These animals are usually slow and sedentary and thus can experience the environment equally from all directions.
Bilateral symmetry- The bilateral symmetry results in a mirror-image in the body plan. This leads to the right and left halves in the body as seen in butterflies, crab, or humans. The phenomenon of cephalization can be seen in such body plans as there is the formation of anterior and posterior ends. Bilateral symmetry allows a streamlined and directional motion. There is active mobility observed in this symmetry and thus gives rise to predator and prey relationships.
Spherical symmetry- This kind of symmetry is seen in spherical animals and all body parts radiate equally from the center point.Some examples are seen in the protozoan group of Heliozoan and Radiolaria.

Note:
Sponges, who are members of Porifera have nobody plan symmetry.It is observed that some animals start with one kind of symmetry and develop another when they enter the adult phase.Very few animals have spherical symmetry.