1. Finally, the first animal phylum!!!
Phylum Porifera
Finally, the first animal phylum!!!

2. What do you think of …
When you hear the word “sponge?”

3. Sponge… the animal …can look like this…

4. Sponges are placed in their own phylum for two major reasons.
Their body is covered with numerous holes which are called pores.
They lack true tissue that is found in other animals.

5. So…what is there to know about a sponge?
Sponges are sessile.
They are filter feeders.
They are typically found in shallow, warm waters among coral.

6. What are they made out of?
The sponge is supported by structures called spicules.
The spicules are covered by a jellylike material.
Four different cells are attached to the material.

7. How does it feed? Well…we mentioned it was a filter feeder.
The sponge uses special cells called choanocytes to bring in water and catch the food.

8. How does it feed?

9. Why are sponges important?
Sponges are good indicators of clean, healthy water and a healthy ecosystem. They are very sensitive to pollution.
Sponges also provide homes for many other sea animals.

10. Why are sponges important…to us?
Real sponges used to be used for everything that we now use synthetic sponges for… like washing and cleaning.
Natural sponges are still sold.

11. Interesting Sponge Fact
Sponges have the ability to recognize other sponge cells.
Why is this interesting?
Because you can pass a living sponge through a silk mesh (separates it into individual cells).
When you put the individual cells back together it reforms into a sponge!!!

13. Sponges are colorful animals.

14. Any Questions???