1. Phylum – Porifera The Sponges

3. Taxonomy
Kingdom – Animalia
Phylum – Porifera (pore-bearer)

4. Characteristics Simplest of all animals
Organized to cellular level only
Most are marine
Saltwater sponges are brightly colored
Freshwater sponges are small and dull green color
Size – 2 meters to 2 cm

5. Characteristics
Water enters through pores (ostia) bringing in food and oxygen
Filter feeders on plankton (microscopic organisms)
asymmetrical

7. Characteristics Sessile as adults (attach to rocks)
Free-swimming larval stage called dipleurula

8. Sponge Body Structure
The inside body cavity of sponge is hollow and is called the spongocoel
Have 2 cell layers:
Outer epidermis
Inner gastrodermis
Jelly-like material between cell layers called mesohyl
Osculum – large opening at the top where excess water leaves

9. Water Flow Through the Sponge
WATER OUT
Water Flow Through the Sponge
WATER IN
Osculum

10. Water Flow Through Sponge

11. Specialized Cells
Choanocytes (collar cells) line inside of body cavity (spongocoel)
Have flagella that spins to pull in water & food
Collar traps plankton (food) from water
Collar

12. Other Specialized Cells
Amoebocytes: (archaeocytes)
Pick up food from choanocytes
Finish digestion
Move through the mesohyl & take food to other cells

15. Skeletal Structure of the Sponge
Skeleton made of network of a soft protein fibers called Spongin
Spicules are hard spear or star-shaped structures
Spicules made of CaCO3 (limestone) or silica (glass)

16. Sponge Skeletons
Silica Spicules
Limestone Spicules
SPONGIN

17. Sponge Skeletons
VENUS FLOWER BASKET
SPICULES

18. Sponge Reproduction
Sponges can regenerate (regrow) lost body parts through mitotic cell division (asexual)
Sponges also reproduce asexually by budding

19. Sponge releasing eggs & sperm
Sponge Reproduction
Sponges are hermaphrodites (produce both eggs & sperm)
Sponges sexually reproduce by releasing eggs & sperm into the water from the Osculum
DO NOT SELF-FERTILZE
Sponge releasing eggs & sperm

20. Surviving Harsh Conditions
Gemmules are specialized buds made to survive harsh weather (hot or cold)
Contain food, amebocytes, and protective covering of spicules
Released when a sponge dies
Resist desiccation (drying out)
Become adult sponge conditions become favorable

21. Uses of Sponges Bath Habitats (aquatic animals)
Home (general cleaning)
Painting
Cosmetics
Arts & Crafts
Decorative (planters, arrangements, etc)
Pharmaceuticals

23. Branching Tube Sponge

24. Stove Pipe Sponge

25. Vase Sponges

26. Barrel Sponges

27. Ball Sponges

28. Rope Sponges