What is Hydra (animal)?
{{italic title}} {{Taxobox | name = ''Hydra'' | image = Hydra biology.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''[[Hydra viridis]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Cnidaria]] | classis = [[Hydrozoa]] | ordo = [[Hydroida]] | familia = [[Hydridae]] | genus = '''''Hydra''''' | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1758 }} '''''Hydra''''' are simple [[invertebrate]]s, with two layers of [[body]] [[Cell|cells]]. They live in [[fresh water]]. Their body is radially [[symmetry|symmetric]]. They have a central cavity through which they take in food and expel waste. As [[Cnidaria]], they have [[cnida|stinging cells]] on their tentacles. They are [[hydrozoa]], and belong to the same order as other [[polyp]]s. Most ''Hydra'' are [[microscope|microscopic]] in size. Hydras can be found in almost any unpolluted body of water. Hydras reproduce by [[budding]]. In budding, the [[offspring]] forms as a lump on the parent and eventually becomes big enough to break off and live by itself. They can move if they need to by a kind of slow [[somersault]]ing motion. Recent research has found they produce an anti [[microbe|microbial]] [[protein]] ''hydramacin'', which protects their outer layer from bacterial infection.<ref>Jung S. ''et al'' 2009. Hydramacin-1, structure and antibacterial activity of a protein from the basal metazoan ''Hydra''. ''Journal of Biological Chemistry'' '''284''' (3): 1896–1905.[http://www.jbc.org/content/284/3/1896]</ref> == References == {{reflist}} {{-}} {{biology-stub}} {{Taxonbar|from=Q192290}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Cnidarians]]