Phylum Porifera Sponges

Porifera Sponges – Living on Earth for at least 540 million years – Most sponges live in the ocean Arctic to the tropics shallow water to depths of several hundred meters – They are dry sponges were use for Bathing Cleaning

Porifera What is a Sponge? 1.Sponges are placed in the phylum Porifera (poh-RIF- ur-uh) which means “pore-bearers.” Sponges have tiny openings, or pores, all over their bodies 2.Sponges are sessile, meaning that they live their entire adult life attached to the ground 3.They have irregular symmetry

Porifera Why are sponges considered animals? – Sponges are multicellular, heterotrophic, have no cell walls and contain only a few specialized cells. Water flow

Porifera: Structure Specialized cells of sponges: 1.Collar cells or choanocytes – Use flagella to move a study current of water through the sponge. 2.Osculum – A large hole at the top of the sponge 3.Spicule – spike-shaped structure made of chalklike calcium carbonate or glasslike silica 4.Amoebocyte – move around within the walls of the sponge and carry food to other cells

Porifera: Digestion Sponges are filter feeders – take microscopic food particles from the water. – As water moves through the sponge, food is trapped and engulfed by collar cells (choanocytes) that line the body cavity – Then, food gets passed to amebocytes who take the food to the rest of the cells in the body

Porifera How do they breathe? – Sponges rely on the movement of water through their bodies to carry out body functions: Respiration – oxygen obtained from the water Excretion – removal of wastes into the water

Porifera How do they reproduce? – Reproduction can be sexually or asexually. – Adults produce gemmules which can withstand harsh conditions and grow into an adult sponge – Reproduce asexually by regeneration – tear of a piece of sponge and a complete new sponge will appear.

Porifera How important are sponges to the environment? – Many sponges are large and have irregular shapes and provide habitats – Commensalism and partnerships EX: bacteria provide food and oxygen to the sponge while the sponge provides protected area.

Porifera Types of Sponges 1.Calcareous sponges  Found in shallow waters around the world  Spikes made of calcium carbonate (lime)

Porifera Types of Sponges 2.Glass sponges Skeleton consists of crystalline silicon dioxide Generally found in deep, tropical waters

Porifera Types of Sponges 3.Demospongiae (Bath sponges) Skeleton is elastic (spongin) fibers Found in the Caribbean Encrusting Sponge