The stinging cells found in some aquatic animals are called:

The stinging cells found in some aquatic animals are called:

• A. Hypothocysts
• B. Nematocysts
• C. Psoriacysts
• D. Cnidocysts

Answer: (B)

Stinging cells in cnidarians are nematocysts. These are tiny, explosive capsules inside specialized cells called cnidocytes. When triggered, a nematocyst fires a harpoon-like thread that injects venom, helping the animal capture prey or defend itself. This mechanism is a hallmark of jellyfish, sea anemones, hydras, and related creatures you might encounter while diving. The term nematocyst is the precise, widely used name for the discharge capsule itself. Some texts use cnidocyst as another name, but the standard term for the stinging organelle is nematocyst. The other options aren’t recognized terms for these stinging capsules.

Stinging cells in cnidarians are nematocysts. These are tiny, explosive capsules inside specialized cells called cnidocytes. When triggered, a nematocyst fires a harpoon-like thread that injects venom, helping the animal capture prey or defend itself. This mechanism is a hallmark of jellyfish, sea anemones, hydras, and related creatures you might encounter while diving. The term nematocyst is the precise, widely used name for the discharge capsule itself. Some texts use cnidocyst as another name, but the standard term for the stinging organelle is nematocyst. The other options aren’t recognized terms for these stinging capsules.