The Sponge Quiz

Sponges

• Sponges belong to the phylum Porifera
• The main characteristic of a sponge's body is that it is porous, with a network of pores and channels that allow water to flow through
• Sponges obtain food and oxygen by filtering water through their pores and channels, using specialized cells called choanocytes to capture food particles

Meaning of Porifera

• The term "Porifera" comes from the Latin words "porus" meaning "pore" and "ferre" meaning "to bear", referring to the sponge's porous body

Evolutionary Relationship of Sponges

• Sponges may have an evolutionary relationship with other animals, but their exact position in the animal kingdom is still uncertain

Coelenterates

• The term Coelenterata encompasses two phyla: Cnidaria and Ctenophora
• The term Coelenterata comes from the Greek words "koilos" meaning "hollow" and "enteron" meaning "intestine", referring to the coelenterate's body cavity
• Coelenterates have a body form that is radially symmetrical, meaning they have a central axis with body parts arranged around it
• Coelenterates obtain food by capturing prey using stinging cells called nematocysts
• The main characteristic of coelenterates' tissue organization is that they have two layers of cells: an outer ectoderm and an inner endoderm, with a gel-like substance called mesoglea in between

Test your knowledge about sponges, the fascinating members of the phylum Porifera. Learn about their unique characteristics, body structure, and their role in the animal kingdom. Challenge yourself with questions about their pore-filled bodies and their ability to transform into different cell types.