Phylum Platyhelminthes (Flat Worms)

Phylum Platyhelminthes are also known as flatworms and they include many free-living and parasitic life forms.

Characteristics of Phylum Platyhelminthes:

Below are important characteristics of Platyhelminthes:

1. They are multicellular flatworms with tissues, organs and organ systems including a nervous system with a simple brain.

2. They are triploblastic with three body layers ( ectoderm , mesoderm and endoderm )

3. They do not have a body cavity ( acoelomates .)

4. Their body is dorsoventrally flattened.

5. They exhibit bilateral symmetry . Bilateral symmetry