Mollusks 

Mollusks (MAH lusks) are soft-bodied invertebrates with ​bilateral symmetry​ and usually
one or two ​shells​. Their organs are in a fluid-filled cavity. The word mollusk comes from the
Latin word meaning “soft.” Most mollusks live in water, but some live on land.

How do these soft creatures make such

strong homes for themselves? Mollusks are
covered by a thick layer of skin called a
mantle​. The mantle covers the body organs.
Between the soft body and the mantle is a
space called the mantle cavity. It contains
gills​—the organs in which carbon dioxide
from the mollusk is exchanged for oxygen in the water, or lungs if it is a land mollusk. The
mantle also secretes the shell or protects the body if the mollusk does not have a shell​.

Some mollusks, such as snails, have one shell.

They are called univalves. Others, such as clams
and oysters, have two shells and are called
bivalves. Bivalves eat by opening their shells and
letting water pass through. The water brings
tiny animals and plants for them to feed on,
and it brings more lime for their shells. The most
specialized and complex mollusks are the
cephalopods (SE fuh luh pawdz). Squid,
octopuses, cuttlefish, and chambered nautiluses
belong to this group. The word cephalopod means “head-footed” and describes the body
structure of these invertebrates. Cephalopods have a large, well-developed head. Their foot is
divided into many tentacles with strong suction cups or hooks for capturing prey.
Cephalopods have an interesting adaptation called ​jet propulsion​. This is how cephalopods
escape from predators.