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Questions and Answers
Into what kingdom did early biologists classify sponges?
Into what kingdom did early biologists classify sponges?
Plant kingdom
Sponges belong to what kingdom and what phylum?
Sponges belong to what kingdom and what phylum?
Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Porifera
Porifera are: unicellular or multicellular?
Porifera are: unicellular or multicellular?
Porifera are: prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
Porifera are: prokaryotic or eukaryotic?
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What are protozoans?
What are protozoans?
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What type of symmetry do sponges exhibit?
What type of symmetry do sponges exhibit?
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What does it mean to be sessile?
What does it mean to be sessile?
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How do sponges obtain their food?
How do sponges obtain their food?
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Where does water enter the sponge through?
Where does water enter the sponge through?
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Where does water leave the sponge through?
Where does water leave the sponge through?
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What is the function of the amoebocyte?
What is the function of the amoebocyte?
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Because of the presence of amoebocytes, scientists believe that sponges evolved from protists.
Because of the presence of amoebocytes, scientists believe that sponges evolved from protists.
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What two substances give a sponge support?
What two substances give a sponge support?
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What are tiny sponges growing from the main body of the poriferan called?
What are tiny sponges growing from the main body of the poriferan called?
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What is a gemmule?
What is a gemmule?
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What is a hermaphrodite?
What is a hermaphrodite?
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Porifera are filter feeders.
Porifera are filter feeders.
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What does the primitive structure of a sponge look like?
What does the primitive structure of a sponge look like?
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What is the ectoderm?
What is the ectoderm?
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What is the endoderm?
What is the endoderm?
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What are the pinacocytes?
What are the pinacocytes?
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What is the spongocoel?
What is the spongocoel?
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What are choanocytes?
What are choanocytes?
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What is the porocyte?
What is the porocyte?
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What is the osculum?
What is the osculum?
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What is the mesenchyme?
What is the mesenchyme?
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What are the amoebocytes?
What are the amoebocytes?
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What is spongin?
What is spongin?
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What are the spicules?
What are the spicules?
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Most porifera have a combination of spicules and spongin.
Most porifera have a combination of spicules and spongin.
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What are the three ways for sponges to reproduce asexually?
What are the three ways for sponges to reproduce asexually?
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When does sexual reproduction occur in sponges?
When does sexual reproduction occur in sponges?
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Should protozoans be considered animals?
Should protozoans be considered animals?
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What is meant by 'specialized' cells?
What is meant by 'specialized' cells?
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How is molecular and genetic research influencing our classification of animals?
How is molecular and genetic research influencing our classification of animals?
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Example of mutualism?
Example of mutualism?
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Example of commensalism?
Example of commensalism?
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How long ago did the first animal appear on Earth?
How long ago did the first animal appear on Earth?
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Study Notes
Classification of Sponges
- Early biologists mistakenly classified sponges in the Plant kingdom due to their plant-like appearance.
- Sponges belong to the Animal kingdom (Kingdom: Animalia) and the Phylum Porifera.
Cellular Characteristics
- Porifera are multicellular and eukaryotic, meaning they have complex cells with a nucleus.
- Protozoans, single-celled eukaryotes, are believed to be evolutionary predecessors of porifera.
Structural Features
- Sponges exhibit asymmetrical body symmetry, lacking a defined shape.
- They are sessile, meaning they are fixed to a substrate and do not move.
Feeding Mechanism
- Sponges obtain food through filter feeding by straining large volumes of water for nutrients.
Water Flow System
- Water enters a sponge through structures called porocytes.
- Water exits through an opening known as the osculum.
Cellular Functions
- Amoebocytes transport food and oxygen within the sponge, performing various functions throughout the organism.
- Pinacocytes form the outermost layer, providing protection and structure.
- Choanocytes line the interior, using flagella to create water currents for feeding.
Support Structures
- Sponges gain structural support from spicules (small, hard particles) and spongin (protein fibers).
- Different ratios of spicules to spongin influence the sponge’s texture.
Reproduction
- Asexual reproduction occurs through budding, gemmules (internal buds), or regeneration of lost parts.
- In sexual reproduction, sponges release sperm into the water for internal fertilization with other sponges' eggs.
Development and Tissue
- Sponges are diploblastic, consisting of two germ layers—ectoderm (outer layer) and endoderm (inner layer).
- Mesenchyme serves as the first connective tissue appearing in sponge embryos, supporting cellular structures.
Evolutionary Insights
- Molecular and genetic research enhances understanding of evolutionary relationships, helping classify animals more accurately.
- Protozoans, with their movement and feeding habits, are considered ancestral forms of animals.
Ecological Relationships
- Mutualism is illustrated when crabs use sponge pieces for shelter, benefiting both species.
- Commensalism occurs as sponges provide habitat for small marine animals, offering shelter without harming the sponge.
Historical Context
- The earliest animal forms appeared approximately 3.5 billion years ago, marking significant evolutionary milestones.
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Description
Test your knowledge on sponges with this quiz! Explore the classification of sponges, their kingdom, and phylum. Learn about their characteristics and importance within the animal kingdom.
