Henry's Home: Coelom

Coelom Definition

The coelom is a body cavity found in metazoans (animals that develop from an embryo with three tissue layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm). The cells in each tissue layer become differentiated during development, becoming different tissues, organs, and a digestive tract. Derived from the mesoderm, the coelom is found between the intestinal canal and the body wall, lined with mesodermal epithelium. The mesodermal tissue also goes onto form the blood, bones, digestive tract, gonads, kidneys, and other organs. Organisms that posses a true coelom are called (true) coelomates.

True coelomates are often grouped into two categories: protostomes and deuterostomes. This distinction is based on patterns of cell division, coelom formation, and the fate of the blastopore. In protostomes, the blastopore becomes the mouth. In deuterostomes, the blastopore becomes the anus.

Organisms that posses a body cavity that is not fully lined with mesodermal epithelium are called pseudocoelomates, while organisms that lack a body cavity are called acoelomates.

Functions of a Coelom and its Importance

Absorb Shock

The coelomic cavity is filled with a fluid known as coelomic fluid, serving to separate organs from the outer body and ultimately functioning to protect the organs from mechanical shock or trauma. The disconnect between the organs and the outer body also allow for greater ranges of movement and flexibility, as the body wall would not squeeze the organs during bending or stretching.

Hydrostatic Skeleton

In soft bodied animals like earthworms and many other invertebrates, the fluid filled coelom can act as a hydrostatic skeleton (a skeleton supported by fluid pressure). This allows for movement by soft bodied animals.

Immune System Support

Coelomocytes play a key role in the immune system of most invertebrates. They are macrophage-like cells that are involved in important functions such as phagocytosis, inflammation, and the secretion of humoral factors that impart humoral immunity.

Circulatory System

The coelomic fluid also facilitates the transport of gases, nutrients, and waste products between different parts of the body. Absorbed nutrients can be circulated around the body, and the metabolic wastes can be more efficiently moved towards the body surface via the coelomic fluid. In fact, the emergence of the coelom in organisms has allowed for the evolution of larger body sizes because of this facilitated transport of materials.

Evolution and Development of the Coelom

The evolutionary history of the coelom is uncertain. There are two contending theories about the emergence of the coelom: the acoelomate theory and the enterocoel theory. The acoelomate posits that the coelom evolved from an acoelomate ancestor, while the enterocoel theory posits that the coelom evolved from gastric pouches of a cnidarian ancestor. While neither have been proven false, there is more research supporting the enteroceol theory.

The development of the coelom begins in the gastrula stage, and can be formed by one of two processes: schizocoely or enterocoely.

In schizocoely, a blind pouch called the archenteron forms as the embryo’s digestive tube beings to develop. The mesoderm splits into two layers, one attaching to the ectoderm (becomes the parietal layer) and the other surrounding the endoderm (becomes the visceral layer). The space between these two layers becomes the coelom of the organism.

In enterocoely, the mesoderm buds from the walls of the archenteron then hollows out to form the coelomic cavity.

Examples of Coelomates

Mollusks, Annelids, and Some Arthropods

Clams, snails, slugs, octopuses, earthworms, and are protostome coelomates, meaning they are formed from head to foot (or mouth to foot). The mouth first develops from the blastopore, which is the first developmental opening. Protostomates undergo spiral and determinate cleavage in the early embryonic stages and the coelom is formed through the process of schizocoely.

Echinoderms and Chordates

Sea stars, sea urchins, fish, and humans are deuterostome coelomates, meaning they are formed from anus to head. The blastopore becomes the anus, and the mouth is formed later. Deuterostomates undergo radical and indeterminate cleavage in the early embryonic stages the coelom is formed through the process of enterocoely.

Quiz

1. From which tissue layer is the coelom derived?
A. Ectoderm
B. Mesoderm
C. Endoderm

Answer to Question #1

2. What is a true coelomate?
A. An organism that has a coelom that is only partially derived from the ectoderm.
B. An organism that has a coelom that is completely derived from the ectoderm.
C. An organism that has a coelom that is completely derived from the mesoderm.
D. An organism that has a coelom that is only partially derived from the mesoderm

Answer to Question #2

3. A coelom can be formed by how many different processes?
A. one
B. two
C. three
D. four

Answer to Question #3

4. What is one function that the coelom serves?
A. Protection against electrical shock.
B. Protection against mechanical shock.
C. Protection against desiccation.