The Digestive System of a Beef Tapeworm (Taenia saginata)
Even though the tapeworm is different from many other animals, digestion wise, it still is able to get everything it needs to survive. Unlike other platyhelminthes, all species of the tapeworm subgroup have no digestive system, digestive tract, or any anus. Because the tapeworm is a parasite, and since they are unable to eat or digest any type of food, they have a special way of getting the nutrients they need to survive. In order to live, they need a host, and this host will actually digest the food for the tapeworm. The way they get the nutrients from the food is through their skin. It is tough enough to not be destroyed by digestive enzymes, but is still able to allow small parts of digested food particles inside. Even though they do lack a digestive system, they still have gut that extends throughout their whole bodies. As muscles in the upper part of the gut contract, the food from the outside gets sucked inside of the tapeworm.