The exteriors of some animals in this class contain an amino-acid oxidizing molecule called achacin (“ACK-uh-sin”) that acts as an antimicrobial agent. Secretions from organisms in this class serve as the vector of lancet liver flukes prior to infecting ants. Organisms in this class can create a temporary barrier made of dried GAG-rich secretions called an epiphragm (“epi-fram”) prior to the formation of the operculum. Members of this class can invert their visceral mass and mantle in a total body-plan inversion during early development called torsion. The blood flukes that cause schistosomiasis (“SHISS-toh-soh-MYE-uh-siss”) are spread by animals in this class. Animals in this class can reproduce by stabbing each other with calcium carbonate “love darts.” For 10 points, name this class of mollusks that are contrasted with bivalves and cephalopods and whose name is Latin for “stomach foot.” ■END■
ANSWER: gastropods [or gastropoda; accept snails or slugs; prompt on mollusks or Mollusca]
<Biology>
= Average correct buzz position