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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of choanocytes in sponges?
What is the main function of choanocytes in sponges?
What is the composition of spicules in sponges?
What is the composition of spicules in sponges?
How do sponges typically reproduce?
How do sponges typically reproduce?
What is the main role of sponges in their ecosystem?
What is the main role of sponges in their ecosystem?
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What is the characteristic of the body shape of sponges?
What is the characteristic of the body shape of sponges?
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What is the function of amoeboid cells in sponges?
What is the function of amoeboid cells in sponges?
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Study Notes
Characteristics
- Simple, multicellular animals
- Porous body (hence the name "Porifera") with a network of canals and chambers
- No true tissues or organs
- No nervous system, muscles, or sense organs
- Feed using specialized cells called choanocytes
Body Structure
- Asymmetrical body shape
- Three main layers: ectoderm, mesohyl, and endoderm
- Mesohyl is a gelatinous layer that contains skeletal elements and amoeboid cells
Skeletal Elements
- Spicules (small, needle-like structures) made of calcium carbonate or silica
- Spongin (a protein-based skeletal material) found in some species
Feeding and Digestion
- Filter feeders: use choanocytes to capture small particles and bacteria from the water
- Amoeboid cells help to digest food particles
Reproduction
- Asexual reproduction: budding or fragmentation
- Sexual reproduction: release of sperm and eggs into the water column
- Fertilization occurs externally, resulting in a larva that settles and develops into a new individual
Classification
- Three main classes: Calcarea, Hexactinellida, and Demospongiae
- Over 8,000 described species, ranging from 1-2 mm to 2 meters in diameter
Importance
- Play a crucial role in filtering and purifying water
- Provide habitat for numerous other species
- Some species have been used as a source of medicinal compounds and biomaterials
Characteristics of Sponges
- Possess a porous body with a network of canals and chambers
- Lacking true tissues and organs
- Devoid of a nervous system, muscles, and sense organs
- Rely on specialized choanocytes for feeding
Body Structure of Sponges
- Feature an asymmetrical body shape
- Comprised of three main layers: outer ectoderm, gelatinous mesohyl, and inner endoderm
- Mesohyl contains skeletal elements and amoeboid cells
Skeletal Elements in Sponges
- Spicules: small, needle-like structures composed of calcium carbonate or silica
- Spongin: a protein-based skeletal material found in some species
Feeding and Digestion in Sponges
- Function as filter feeders, capturing small particles and bacteria using choanocytes
- Amoeboid cells aid in digestion of food particles
Reproduction in Sponges
- Undergo asexual reproduction through budding or fragmentation
- Engage in sexual reproduction via release of sperm and eggs into the water column
- External fertilization results in larval formation, which settles and develops into a new individual
Classification of Sponges
- Divided into three main classes: Calcarea, Hexactinellida, and Demospongiae
- Encompass over 8,000 described species, ranging from 1-2 mm to 2 meters in diameter
Importance of Sponges
- Play a crucial role in water filtration and purification
- Provide habitat for numerous other species
- Certain species have been utilized as sources of medicinal compounds and biomaterials
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Description
This quiz covers the simple, multicellular animal phylum Porifera, including their body structure, skeletal elements, and characteristics.
