Body covering/skin
Cnidarians have two basic layers of skin.
- The first is the outer layer, the epidermis. This layer contains the cnidocysts, the stinging cells of all Cnidarians. (http://www.oceaninn.com)
- The inner layer, gastrodermis, lines the gastrovacular cavity (Gut of cnidarians).
- There is a middle "layer" of sorts, it is a jelly-like substance called the mesoglea. This layer mostly has scattered cells and collagen fibers. (http://www.oceaninn.com)
- This layer helps with flotation and is the actual "jelly" in the jellyfish.