Which organism is an example of a mollusk?

A clam is a prime example of a mollusk, which is a diverse group of invertebrates belonging to the phylum Mollusca. Mollusks are characterized by their soft bodies, which are often protected by a hard shell made of calcium carbonate. Clams possess a two-part shell (valves) that they can close tightly to protect themselves.

Mollusks exhibit a wide range of forms and habitats, and they include well-known groups such as gastropods (snails and slugs), bivalves (clams, oysters, and scallops), and cephalopods (octopuses and squids). While both clams and octopuses belong to the mollusk family, the clam specifically exemplifies the bivalve class, distinguished by its shell and feeding mechanism.

In contrast, shrimp are crustaceans and belong to a different phylum, Arthropoda. Starfish, or sea stars, are echinoderms and also belong to yet another phylum, Echinodermata. Each of these organisms represents different biological classifications, demonstrating the diversity of life forms in marine environments.