Phylum Porifera Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Animals in Phylum Porifera are known informally as?

Sponges (correct)

Worms

Jellyfish

Corals

How do sponges obtain food?

They are suspension feeders/filter feeders.

What is the spongocoel?

The central cavity of a sponge lined with choanocytes.

What is the osculum?

The large opening of the sponge where water exits. Signup and view all the answers

Because sponges represent a lineage that originates near the root of the phylogenetic tree, they are known as?

Basal animals. Signup and view all the answers

Do sponges have true tissues?

False Signup and view all the answers

What are choanocytes and what is their function?

Choanocytes are also known as collar cells; they engulf bacteria and other food particles by phagocytosis. Signup and view all the answers

What type of symmetry do poriferans have?

Asymmetry. Signup and view all the answers

What are a few reasons why sponges are considered basal animals?

They lack real tissues and organs, have a very simple body plan, and no germ layers. Signup and view all the answers

How many layers does a sponge have? Are they all cellular?

A sponge has two layers that are both cellular. Signup and view all the answers

How is the body of the sponge organized?

It has an epidermis with pores, a mesohyl in the middle, a spongocoel lined by choanocytes, and spicules for support. Signup and view all the answers

What kinds of cells do you find in a sponge, and where are they located?

Choanocytes, amoebocytes, and epidermal cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of each type of cell in a sponge?

Choanocytes filter food; amoebocytes digest food and distribute nutrients; epidermal cells create the exterior layer. Signup and view all the answers

What is a spicule, what is it made of, and what function does it perform?

Spicules are tough skeletal fibers made from calcium carbonate or silica; they provide protection and structural support. Signup and view all the answers

How do sponges get their nutrition?

Sponges are filter feeders that capture food from water entering their pores. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the choanocyte collar?

The choanocyte collar contains mucous to capture food and bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the choanocyte flagellum?

It creates a current that pushes water through the sponge, enabling filtration. Signup and view all the answers

How do amoebocytes function in the sponge with respect to nutrition?

They break down food, digest it, and deliver nutrients to other cells. Signup and view all the answers

How do sponges reproduce, and where do their gametes come from?

They reproduce asexually by budding and sexually; gametes come from choanocytes or amoebocytes. Signup and view all the answers

Is it true that new sponge individuals will grow from fragmented pieces of a parent sponge?

True Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the important roles that sponges play in ecosystems?

They filter out water in the sea by engulfing bacteria. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Phylum Porifera Overview

Known informally as sponges, represent one of the simplest animal lineages.
Considered basal animals due to their ancient lineage and simple body structure.

Feeding and Nutrition

Sponges are suspension or filter feeders, capturing food particles from water passing through their pores.
The central cavity (spongocoel) is lined with choanocytes, which play a crucial role in feeding.

Structure and Anatomy

Spongocoel is a large cavity where water passes and is lined by choanocytes.
The osculum is a large opening at the top of the sponge, allowing water to exit.
Two cellular layers make up a sponge, with tightly packed epidermal cells forming the outer layer.

Cellular Composition

Choanocytes: Also known as collar cells, equipped with flagella to create water currents and capture food particles.
Amoebocytes: Located in the mesohyl, they digest food, distribute nutrients, and can transform into different cell types for adaptability.
Epidermal cells: Form the external layer of the sponge.

Skeleton and Support

Spicules are structural fibers found in the mesohyl, made of calcium carbonate, silica, or spongin, providing protection and support.

Symmetry and Tissue Structure

Poriferans exhibit asymmetry, lacking true tissue and organs.
The absence of germ layers and a complex body plan marks them as primitive animals closely related to choanoflagellates.

Reproductive Strategies

Sponges can reproduce asexually through budding or fragmentation, and sexually with gametes produced by choanocytes or amoebocytes.
Sperm is released into the water, where it may be captured by nearby sponges for fertilization.

Ecological Role

Act as crucial filter feeders within aquatic ecosystems, improving water clarity and quality by removing bacteria and particulate matter.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of Phylum Porifera with these flashcards designed to enhance your understanding of sponges. Learn about their feeding mechanisms, structures like the spongocoel, and more. Perfect for students wanting to dive deep into marine biology.