Pseudocoelomate Body Plan: Aschelminths

Phylum Aschelminthes

Aschelminths can be free-living or parasitic. The free-living organisms are extremely abundant in soils and sediments and they feed on bacteria. While some others are plant parasites and can cause disease in crops that are economically important. The others are parasites that can be found in animals and human beings.  Some of the parasitic worms include hookworms, pinworms, Guinea worms, and intestinal roundworms.

Ascaris lumbricoides is the Giant Intestinal Roundworm that is an endoparasite living in the human intestine. They are very common in children. These worms cause a disease called ascariasis. Many adult roundworms live inside the intestine, causing obstruction to the intestinal passage. This causes abdominal discomfort, colic-like pain, impaired digestion, diarrhea, and vomiting. Generally, deworming medicines are given to get rid of these roundworms from the body.