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Phylum Porifera

Phylum Porifera. Sponges are the simplest of all animals; best described as aggregations of specialized cells Sponges do not have true tissues or organs; cells are largely independent of one another All are sessile (non-mobile) Porifera means “pore bearer” NO body symmetry. Phylum Porifera.

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Phylum Porifera

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  1. Phylum Porifera • Sponges are the simplest of all animals; best described as aggregations of specialized cells • Sponges do not have true tissues or organs; cells are largely independent of one another • All are sessile (non-mobile) • Porifera means “pore bearer” • NO body symmetry

  2. Phylum Porifera • Tiny pores, or ostia allow water to enter and circulate through a series of canals where plankton and other organic debris are filtered out and eaten • Sponges are suspension feeders, animals that eat food particles suspended in the water column • Filter feeders; they actively filter out food particles

  3. Phylum Porifera • Water is pumped into a feeding chamber lined with collar cells, or choanocytes • Choanocytes have a flagella that generates a current, and a thin collar that traps food particles • Food is then ingested within the cell

  4. Phylum Porifera • As sponges get larger, they need structural support • Most have spicules, supporting structures of different shapes and sizes, made of silica or calcium carbonate • Many also have a ‘skeleton’ of tough, elastic fibers made of a protein called spongin

  5. Phylum Porifera • Wandering cells, or amebocytes secrete the spicules and spongin • Amebocytes also transport and store excess food particles, and can change into other cell types, quickly ‘repairing’ any damage to the sponge • ~80% of food particles are engulfed and ingested by choanocytes; smaller particles, inc. bacteria and dinoflagellates are eaten by amebocytes

  6. You are what you eat… • The silica frustules of diatoms and other phytoplankton help make the glass spicules of sponges! Diatoms Sponge

  7. Sponges are boring! • A family of sponges known as boring sponges bore into shells by use of an enzyme produced by the amebocytes • Sponge larvae settle onto wood and/or shells and create burrows where they will grow

  8. Sponge worthy? • Unlike most animals, many sponges reproduce asexually • Branches or buds break off to form separate, but identical, sponges • Like all animals, however, sponges also reproduce sexually • Specialized coanocytes or amebocytes produce eggs and sperm • Sponge larvae is planktonic!

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