Definition

A large group of soft-bodied animals that often have a hard shell, including snails, clams, and octopuses. They are invertebrates, meaning they do not have a backbone.

Example

The mollusca include various species such as snails, clams, and squids.

Conversation

Have you ever studied mollusca in biology class?

Yeah, I remember learning about how diverse they are!

It's fascinating how they include both snails and octopuses.

Absolutely! I never knew there were so many different types.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Mollusca → It is derived from the Latin word "mollis" (meaning soft) and the suffix "-us" (a common suffix in Latin for forming nouns). The term "mollusca" refers to a group of soft-bodied animals, which includes snails, clams, and octopuses.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for 'soft' ('mollis') to remember that 'mollusca' refers to soft-bodied animals.

Visually Confused Words