What are some of the functions of the mantle in mollusks?

The mantle on a mollusk is a tissue close to the outside of the body, which is where the sensory organs are located. Some species of freshwater mollusks have gills in the mantle cavity, which assist in respiration. read more

The mantle cavity functions as a respiratory chamber in most molluscs. In bivalves it is usually part of the feeding structure. In some molluscs the mantle cavity is a brood chamber, and in cephalopods and some bivalves such as scallops, it is a locomotory organ.The mantle is highly muscular. read more

In mollusks that have shells, such as clams, mussels, and snails, the mantle is what secretes calcium carbonate and a matrix to form the mollusk's shell. In mollusks that lack shells, such as the slug, the mantle is completely visible. read more