[Campbell Biology P.730] Which statement best describes a functional aspect related to body ... | Practice Question
Which statement best describes a functional aspect related to body cavities or their fluids?
A: The fluid in a coelom acts as a hydrostatic skeleton, enabling muscle work in soft-bodied animals like earthworms.
B: Hemolymph, found in a coelom, functions primarily in circulating nutrients and waste.
C: Acoelomates, having compact bodies, require a complex internal transport system for nutrient and gas exchange.
D: The coelom prevents internal organs from growing and moving independently of the outer body wall.
Explanation
The text explicitly states: 'In soft-bodied animals, such as earthworms, the fluid in the coelom acts like a skeleton against which muscles can work.' This describes the coelom's function as a hydrostatic skeleton.