Finger-like appendages that are flexible, because they have
no rigid skeleton. They are used for capturing prey, defense, reproduction,
gas exchange, and light absorption. Cnidarians
and molluscs are two kinds of organisms
that may have tentacles.
|Tentacles of a sea anemone. Each tentacle contains
stinging cells (nematocysts) used for defense and food capture. Photo:
Dr. Anthony Picciolo