Tunicate

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tunicates
Sea Tulips, Pyura spinifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Urochordata Giribet et al., 2000
Classes
Ascidiacea (2,300 species) Thaliacea Appendicularia Sorberacea

Tunicates (called Tunicata or urochordates, also called Sea squirts) is a subphylum of chordates. They are filter feeders. Most of them look like a sack. Chemical substances which might help fight diseases like cancer or various viruses have been found in some species.

Scientists have also found out that some species can heal some damage done to them, over several generations. A similar process might be possible for humans.^[1]

[change] References

• Dennis. 2003. pers. comm. Marine Science Dept. Orange Coast College.
• Solomon, E., L. Berg, D. Martin. 2002. Biology. Brooks/Cole.

1. ↑ Sea Squirt, Heal Thyself: Scientists Make Major Breakthrough In Regenerative Medicine