Podcast
Questions and Answers
Sponge larvae possibly use a protein called ______ for phototaxis.
Sponge larvae possibly use a protein called ______ for phototaxis.
crypto-chrome
In July 2015, researchers collected sponge larvae from local reefs in ______ to study their light-sensing abilities.
In July 2015, researchers collected sponge larvae from local reefs in ______ to study their light-sensing abilities.
Florida
Scientists are conducting genetic, physiological, and behavioral tests to determine if ______ is the light receptor in sponges.
Scientists are conducting genetic, physiological, and behavioral tests to determine if ______ is the light receptor in sponges.
crypto-chrome
Recent genetic research suggests that ______ (comb jellies) might be an older lineage.
Recent genetic research suggests that ______ (comb jellies) might be an older lineage.
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Further research is needed to understand the evolutionary relationships between sponges, ctenophores, and other animals, with ongoing debates and the need to analyze vast amounts of data for ______.
Further research is needed to understand the evolutionary relationships between sponges, ctenophores, and other animals, with ongoing debates and the need to analyze vast amounts of data for ______.
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Sponges come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, with over 8,500 known species found in oceans worldwide, including both tropical and ______ regions.
Sponges come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, with over 8,500 known species found in oceans worldwide, including both tropical and ______ regions.
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Sponges are ______ animals lacking specialized tissues like a heart or brain, but they do have differentiated cells and their skeletons are made of silica or calcium carbonate.
Sponges are ______ animals lacking specialized tissues like a heart or brain, but they do have differentiated cells and their skeletons are made of silica or calcium carbonate.
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Sponges have been found to produce bioactive compounds with medicinal uses, including the development of drugs for viral infections, infectious diseases, and ______.
Sponges have been found to produce bioactive compounds with medicinal uses, including the development of drugs for viral infections, infectious diseases, and ______.
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Sponges play a crucial role on reefs by providing habitat for other animals, acting as food for some predators, and creating a three-dimensional ______.
Sponges play a crucial role on reefs by providing habitat for other animals, acting as food for some predators, and creating a three-dimensional ______.
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Sponges are filter feeders that rely on microbial symbionts for survival, with certain sponge species having microbial cells making up over 50% of their ______.
Sponges are filter feeders that rely on microbial symbionts for survival, with certain sponge species having microbial cells making up over 50% of their ______.
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Study Notes
- Sponges come in various colors, shapes, and sizes, with over 8,500 known species found in oceans worldwide, including both tropical and arctic regions.
- Sponges are primitive animals lacking specialized tissues like a heart or brain, but they do have differentiated cells and their skeletons are made of silica or calcium carbonate.
- Sponges have been found to produce bioactive compounds with medicinal uses, including the development of drugs for viral infections, infectious diseases, and cancers.
- Sponges play a crucial role on reefs by providing habitat for other animals, acting as food for some predators, and creating a three-dimensional topography.
- Sponges are filter feeders that rely on microbial symbionts for survival, with certain sponge species having microbial cells making up over 50% of their body.
- Research is being conducted on sponge microbiomes and genomes to understand how environmental factors and human populations can impact microbial communities associated with sponges.
- The sponge industry is still active in places like Red Bays, Andros Island, with three commercially viable sponge species – hard head, wool, and grass sponges – being harvested and sold globally.- Sponges are back in the fishing industry on Andros Island in the early 60s, with local spongers taking pride in their work and quality products.
- Sponge larvae move around during their larval stage and possibly use a protein called crypto-chrome for phototaxis, allowing them to sense light direction.
- In July 2015, researchers collected sponge larvae from local reefs in Florida to study their light-sensing abilities and the presence of crypto-chrome.
- Scientists are conducting genetic, physiological, and behavioral tests to determine if crypto-chrome is the light receptor in sponges.
- Traditionally, sponges were believed to be the first animals to branch off the Animal Tree of Life, but recent genetic research suggests that ctenophores (comb jellies) might be an older lineage.
- If ctenophores branched off first, it challenges long-held theories about the evolution of animal traits, such as the development of nervous systems.
- Further research is needed to understand the evolutionary relationships between sponges, ctenophores, and other animals, with ongoing debates and the need to analyze vast amounts of data for clarity.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of sponges, from their diverse species and unique characteristics to their importance in marine ecosystems and ongoing research on their genetics and behavior.
