Definition of nematocyst in English:
nematocyst
noun nɪˈmatə(ʊ)sɪstˈnɛmətə(ʊ)sɪstniˈmatə-
Zoology A specialized cell in the tentacles of a jellyfish or other coelenterate, containing a barbed or venomous coiled thread that can be projected in self-defence or to capture prey.
Example sentencesExamples
- Casually touching many cnidarians will make it clear how they got their name when their nematocysts eject barbed threads tipped with poison.
- If pain persists, powder and shave the skin to remove any remaining nematocysts.
- As a feeding adaptation, the anemones are equipped with stinging cells called nematocysts, which are triggered as soon as a tentacle touches a living organism, paralyzing it upon contact.
- Members of the phylum Cnidaria, these animals have capsule-shaped cells with a trapdoor-like lid, containing a stinging nematocyst.
- If collar cells and spicules are defining characteristics of the Phylum Porifera, then nematocysts define cnidarians.