| Question | Answer |
| What phylum are sponges in? | Phylum Porifera |
| where do sponges live? | Mostly marine, some freshwater |
| What symmetry do sponges have? | Asymmetrical - no symmetry present |
| How many germ layers do sponges have? | No germ layers, but have 2 cell layers ectoderm and endoderm |
| What are pore cells? | Cells around and opening to allow water in |
| what are Spicules? | needle like structures for structural support made of silica and CaCO3 |
| What is Spongin | a network of protein to form soft skin (ex. sponges used for sponge baths) |
| What are Amoebocytes | aid in reproduction and circulation (carrying nutrients to other cells) and make Spicules |
| What is a Collar cell OR Choanocyte? | Small cell with flagellum that draws in water |
| How does water move through the Sponge | 1. Water draws into central cavity
2. Beating flagella draws in in water
3. water exits through large whole (Osculum) |
| Why is water movement important to sponges | Brings in; food, oxygen, gametes, larve, takes away waste |
| How do they FEED + DIGESTIONS | No mouth or D.S - they filter feed soft food particles |
| How does EXCRETION work? | Driven out by water flow |
| How does RESPIRATION work? | Oxygen and carbon dioxide -> Diffusion |
| Do they Move? | Adults are sessile ( non-moving)
Larvae are mobile |
| What does REPRODUCTION look like? | Most are Hermaphrodites (sperm + eggs)
Some have separate sexes |
| How does Sexual REPRODUCTION work? | 1. Sperm is released to swim to other sponge
2. Enters pores and picked up by collar cells
3. Carried to egg by amoebocytes
4. fertilization
5. Zygote develops into larva |
| How does Asexual REPRODUCTION work? | Fragmentation (part of sponge break)
Budding (mitotic growth breaks off)
Gemmules ( collection off cells with hard outer covering with spicules) |
| Ecological and Environmental importance | - Provides habitat + food work for animals
- symbiotic relationship with plantlike protists
- make chemicals used in reasearch |
