How do bivalves obtain food?

Bivalves are a group of aquatic invertebrates that includes clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. They are suspension feeders, meaning that they obtain food by filtering particles from the water.

Bivalves have two shells that are hinged together. The shells are lined with a mantle, which is a thin layer of tissue. The mantle contains cilia, which are tiny hairs that move in a wave-like motion. The cilia help to create a current of water that flows through the shells.

As the water flows through the shells, the mantle filters out food particles. The food particles are then passed to the mouth, which is located on the front of the body.

Bivalves feed on a variety of food particles, including algae, plankton, and detritus. Detritus is organic matter that has been broken down by bacteria.

Bivalves play an important role in the marine ecosystem. They help to clean the water by filtering out pollutants and they provide food for other animals, such as fish, birds, and marine mammals.