Which mollusk feature is a rasping tongue used to obtain food?

Which mollusk feature is a rasping tongue used to obtain food?

• A. Radula
• B. Mantle
• C. Gills
• D. Foot

Answer: (A)

The radula is the rasping tongue. This belt-like organ, found in most mollusks, is lined with tiny, tooth-like structures that scrape or cut food from surfaces, such as algae on rocks, before it’s ingested. The radula serves as the primary feeding tool, especially in snails and many other gastropods. The mantle, on the other hand, mainly secretes the shell and lines the mantle cavity, not involved in feeding. Gills are for respiration and sometimes filtering food particles, but they don’t function as a rasping organ. The foot is the muscular base used for movement and sometimes for anchoring, not scraping food.

The radula is the rasping tongue. This belt-like organ, found in most mollusks, is lined with tiny, tooth-like structures that scrape or cut food from surfaces, such as algae on rocks, before it’s ingested. The radula serves as the primary feeding tool, especially in snails and many other gastropods.

The mantle, on the other hand, mainly secretes the shell and lines the mantle cavity, not involved in feeding. Gills are for respiration and sometimes filtering food particles, but they don’t function as a rasping organ. The foot is the muscular base used for movement and sometimes for anchoring, not scraping food.