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Glite Dictionary
platyhelminth

platyhelminth

1 9.9
A flat worm that lives inside animals or in water
  • noun
  • /ˌplætɪˈhɛlmɪnθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : platelminto
  • Many platyhelminths can be found in freshwater environments.

Examples

  • The platyhelminth is known for its flat body structure.

  • The planarian is a type of platyhelminth commonly studied in biology classes.

  • Certain platyhelminths, such as tapeworms, can infect the intestines of animals and humans.

  • Scientists observed the regeneration abilities of the platyhelminth after it was cut in half.

  • The scientist studied the behavior of a platyhelminth to understand its unique adaptations.

  • In freshwater ecosystems, a platyhelminth can play an important role as a predator of smaller organisms.

  • Some species of platyhelminth are known to be harmful parasites in mammals.

Synonyms

flatworm
vsplatyhelminth
  • Specialized
4 7.0

A soft worm with a flat body that lives inside other animals or on the sea floor

is the scientific name for the same flattened worm in that phylum

Surface Forms

platyhelminth singular
platyhelminths plural

Morphology

platyhelminth = helminth (opaque) = platy + helminth + platy

Although analyzable as 'platy-' (flat) + 'helminth' (worm), the elements are specialized Greek combining forms and the term is technical, so an average learner cannot derive the meaning.

Etymology

The word platyhelminth comes from Greek parts platy- meaning 'flat', which you can remember by a 'plate', and -helminth meaning 'worm'. So a platyhelminth is a 'flat worm', which fits animals like tapeworms and planarians and explains their very flat bodies.