which of the following statements about deuterostomes is false?

The false statement about deuterostomes in the common multiple‑choice versions of this question is: “All deuterostomes exhibit radial symmetry in their bodies.”

Quick Scoop

In most textbook and exam MCQs that ask “Which of the following statements about deuterostomes is false?” , the options typically look like this or very close to it:

• All deuterostomes have a coelom. ✅
• All deuterostomes have a similar pattern of early embryonic development (radial, usually indeterminate cleavage; blastopore becomes the anus). ✅

• All deuterostomes exhibit radial symmetry in their bodies. ❌ This is the false statement.

• All deuterostomes are triploblastic and have three tissue layers. ✅

The key reason it is false:

• Adult echinoderms (like sea stars) are radially symmetrical, but chordates (including vertebrates) are bilaterally symmetrical as adults , and both groups are deuterostomes.

• So not all deuterostomes show radial body symmetry, even though their embryonic cleavage pattern is called radial.

Core characteristics of deuterostomes (for context)

• Blastopore fate: The blastopore becomes the anus first; the mouth forms second, which is literally what “deuterostome” (“mouth second”) refers to.

• Cleavage pattern: Early embryonic divisions are typically radial and indeterminate , meaning early cells can still each develop into a complete embryo.

• Body plan: Deuterostomes are triploblastic coelomates with three germ layers and a true coelom.

• Major groups: Echinoderms and chordates are the classic examples.

So if your MCQ looks like the ones circulating in recent online homework helpers and video explanations, the correct choice is the option claiming that all deuterostomes have radial symmetry in their bodies.

TL;DR: The false statement is the one that says all deuterostomes exhibit radial symmetry as adults.