What is the Difference Between Gastrovascular Cavity and Alimentary Canal?

The main difference between a gastrovascular cavity and an alimentary canal lies in their structure and function:

• Gastrovascular Cavity: This is a single, two-way digestive tract with only one opening that serves as both the mouth and anus. It is found in more primitive organisms, such as those belonging to the phyla Cnidaria and Platyhelminthes. The gastrovascular cavity functions in food digestion and the circulation of nutrients throughout the body.
• Alimentary Canal: This is a more advanced digestive system consisting of a tube with a mouth at one end and an anus at the other. The alimentary canal is primarily involved in food digestion and is found in all vertebrates and most invertebrates. The food ingested through the mouth passes through various organs, such as the esophagus, stomach, and intestine, where it is broken down and nutrients are absorbed.

In summary, the gastrovascular cavity is a simpler, one-opening digestive system found in primitive organisms, while the alimentary canal is a more complex, two-opening system found in a wider range of organisms, including vertebrates and most invertebrates.

Comparative Table: Gastrovascular Cavity vs Alimentary Canal

The key difference between a gastrovascular cavity and an alimentary canal lies in their structure and function. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

In summary, the gastrovascular cavity is a two-way digestive tract with only one opening, serving both as a mouth and anus, and is found in primitive organisms such as Cnidaria and Platyhelminthes. On the other hand, the alimentary canal is a one-way digestive tract with two separate openings for mouth and anus, and is present in all vertebrates and most invertebrates.