Fun fact! Many nematodes are able to suspend their life processes completely when conditions become unfavorable. This is called cryptobiosis. In this state they can survive extreme drying, heat, or cold, and then return to life when favorable
conditions return. |
One unifying characteristic of the phylum is the lack of cilia or
flagella. Even the sperm of nematodes are amoeboid. |
Most nematodes are reasonably small, they range in size from 100 micrometres in length to the female Giant Nematode, Dioctophyme renale (Above) which may be up to 1 meter long.
This is cross sectional view of the internal anatomy of a roundworm. You can see the simplicity of its organization.