Question

Give the difference between the types of symmetry animals show.

Answer 1

Animals can be classified based on their symmetry. Symmetry is defined as the line which divides the animals into two portions. Symmetry can be of many types like asymmetry, radial symmetry, bilateral symmetry. These symmetries are different from each other and are used to define animals.

Complete answer:
- The body of most of the multicellular organisms is defined by some symmetry.
- There are two main types of symmetry which are: radial symmetry and bilateral symmetry.
The difference between the two is-

Radial symmetry	Bilateral symmetry
When any plane passes through the central axis of the animal body divides the organisms into two identical halves, it is called radial symmetry.	When the body of the organism can be divided into identical left and right halves in only one plane, it is called bilateral symmetry
The organisms showing radial symmetry belong to Coelenterata, Ctenophora, and Echinodermata.	The organisms showing bilateral symmetry belong to Annelida, Arthropoda, etc.

- The organisms showing radial symmetry do not show any left or right sides but they have front and back or top and bottom.
- The organism having bilateral symmetry contains only one plane of symmetry.
- Sponges are asymmetrical i.e. any plane that passes through the center does not divide them into equal halves.

Note: The organism is defined based on their symmetry and thus there are most commonly two types of symmetry which are radial and bilateral symmetry. Both of these are distinguished based on the plane of symmetry. In radial, the organism gets divided into two equal parts when any plane passes through the central axis whereas in bilateral symmetry there is the only plane that divides equally.