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Discovering Porifera: Learning about Sponge Characteristics and Classification

Explore the fascinating world of porifera, better known as sponges. Learn about their unique characteristics, feeding habits, reproduction methods, and classification within the animal kingdom. Dive deep into the diverse groups of sponges and their intricate skeletal structures.

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Discovering Porifera: Learning about Sponge Characteristics and Classification

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  1. Phylum Porifera Pore – bearers : Sponges

  2. Characteristics of Sponges • Most sponges are a mass of cells stuck together by a gel-like substance. • Sponges are classified as animals because • multicellular • heterotrophic • have no cell walls • some specialized cells

  3. Characteristics of Sponges, continued • A sponge’s body is a sessile, filter-feeding structure. • Water enters the sponge through ostiain the body wall and exits through the osculum.

  4. Characteristics of Sponges, continued • Lining the inside of a sponge is a layer of cells called choanocytes, or collar cells. • Trap material on their flagella – like extensions • Amoebocytes • move around the body wall collecting nutrients and carry away wastes

  5. Visual Concept: Feeding Habits of Sponges

  6. Sponge Reproduction • Sponges reproduce both asexually and sexually. • Most sponges are hermaphrodites, • they produce both eggs and sperm • advantages?

  7. Sponge Reproduction, continued • Asexually • Fragmentation • Budding • Freshwater produce gemmules, fluid – filled ball of ameobocytes • Sexually • External into water • Larva is mobile

  8. Groups of Sponges • Sponges live in warm, shallow sea water and in deep, cold areas of the ocean. A few species even live in fresh water. • There are three main types of modern sponges comprising the 5,000 species living today. • All have skeletons which keep the sponge from collapsing in on itself.

  9. Groups of Sponges, continued • The skeleton of most sponges is comprised of tiny needles made of silica or calcium called spicules. • A few sponges have a skeleton composed of a resilient, flexible protein fiber called spongin. • Modern sponges are classified according to the composition of the skeleton in their body wall. • Calcareous sponges have a hard skeleton while glass sponges have a latticelike skeleton.

  10. Classification Phylum Porifera • Class Calcarea (Calcium) • Class Hexactinellida (Silica) • Class Demospongia (Spongin)

  11. Class Calcarea (Calcium)

  12. Class Hexactinellida (Silica)

  13. Class Demospongia (Spongin)

  14. Summary • Sponges are classified as animals because they are multicellular, are heterotrophic, have no cell walls, and contain some specialized cells. • Sponges reproduce both asexually and sexually. Most sponges are hermaphrodites, which means they produce both egg and sperm. • The modern sponges are classified according to the composition of the skeleton in their body wall.

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