Characteristics of Platyehelminthes

        Platyheminthes include flukes, flatworms, tapeworms, andturbellarains.

        They are unsegmented organisms with bilateral symmetry.

        They are cephelized and have simple organ systems.

        They have no body cavity except for a branching gut.

        Platyheminthes have one opening for their mouth and anus.

        Platyheminthes have a branched gut.

        They are parasitic.

        They may have one or two hosts before adulthood, these are called intermediate host. When they reach adulthood they find a definitive host, or permanent host.

        They reproduce asexually.

        They attach to the host using a scolex, which is a structure equipped with hooks, suckers, or both.

Below is a picture of the scolex of a Taenia