Question

differentiate between polyp and medusa​

Answer 1

In the phylum Cnidaria, which includes jellyfish and sea anemones, polyp and medusa are two different stages of the life cycle. In some species, these two stages alternate between each other, such as in Hydrozoa. Jellyfish, on the other hand, exhibit only the medusa stage, while members of the genus Hydra exhibit the polyp form.

Difference Between Medusa and Polyp

Polyp       Medusa

Mobility

• Polyps are sessile

• Medusae are mobile

Shape

• Polyps possess a tubular shape

• Medusa has a bell-shaped body

Mouth

• The mouth of polyps faces the water upwards

• Medusa have their mouths facing the water downwards

Manubrium

• Absent in polyps

• Present in medusae

Sense Organs

• Absent in polyps

• Photoreceptors and statocyst are present in medusae

Method of Reproduction

• Can reproduce sexually as well as asexually

• Exclusively sexual reproduction

Reproduction

• Polyps can give rise to more polyps as well as medusae through budding

• Medusae can only give rise to medusae

Evolution

• Polyps are a relatively primitive form of cnidarians

• Medusae are much more evolved and complex form of cnidarians