Why do jellyfish sting?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: To catch prey and defend
To communicate with others — Wrong. Jellyfish don't communicate through stinging. They're actually quite simple organisms without brains, communicating through chemical signals instead.
To catch prey and defend ✓ — Correct! Jellyfish have specialized cells called nematocysts that fire tiny harpoon-like structures. These inject venom to paralyze prey and deter predators. They fire automatically on contact!
To attract mates — Wrong. Jellyfish don't use stinging for mating. Many reproduce by releasing eggs and sperm into the water where fertilization occurs externally.