Phylum PoriferaPhylum Porifera

A.K.A.A.K.A.

SpongesSponges

Sponges are an animal??Sponges are an animal??

• Yes, they are!!!Yes, they are!!!

• SessileSessile- sponges do not move; anchored - sponges do not move; anchored to one place (rock or shell)to one place (rock or shell)

• Sponges have Sponges have nono specialized tissues, specialized tissues, organs, or symmetry organs, or symmetry

• Basically a sponge is a bunch of cells Basically a sponge is a bunch of cells grouped togethergrouped together

• Live in shallow seas & some in fresh waterLive in shallow seas & some in fresh water

General CharacteristicsGeneral Characteristics

• Asymmetric (no true symmetry)Asymmetric (no true symmetry)

• Wide variety of colorsWide variety of colors

• Shapes- look like balls, discs, vases, Shapes- look like balls, discs, vases,

branching shrubs, or small branching shrubs, or small treestrees

• ““pore-bearing”- look like a sack full of pore-bearing”- look like a sack full of

holesholes

Skeletal systemSkeletal system

• SponginSpongin- flexible protein- flexible protein

• SpiculesSpicules- spikes/needles - spikes/needles

of calcium carbonate of calcium carbonate

Provide support

SpiculesSpongin

DigestionDigestion• Filter feederFilter feeder (heterotroph)- bring in (heterotroph)- bring in

small food particles from water small food particles from water through through porocytesporocytes (pores) & travels (pores) & travels through through spongocoelspongocoel (central cavity) (central cavity)

• Then the Then the choanocyteschoanocytes trap & digest trap & digest food; food;

• Next, Next, amoebocytesamoebocytes carry nutrients carry nutrients to cells & take away waste; to cells & take away waste;

• Finally, the remaining water leaves Finally, the remaining water leaves through the through the osculum osculum (opening at (opening at top of sponge)top of sponge)

Hey, nice choanocyte you got Hey, nice choanocyte you got there!there!

Nervous and Circulatory Nervous and Circulatory SystemSystem

•Sponges don’t have Sponges don’t have them!!them!!

RespirationRespiration

• DiffusionDiffusion- oxygen from water moves - oxygen from water moves into sponge cells (high to low) into sponge cells (high to low)

ReproductionReproduction• AsexualAsexual- - budding budding -small piece of -small piece of

sponge breaks off from parent & sponge breaks off from parent & develops into a full grown spongedevelops into a full grown sponge

• SexualSexual- - hermaphroditeshermaphrodites (produce (produce eggs & sperm at different times); eggs & sperm at different times);

• sperm cells made by one sponge are sperm cells made by one sponge are carried to another sponge by water & carried to another sponge by water & once inside the sperm fertilizes the once inside the sperm fertilizes the egg; egg;

• egg develops into a larvae & attaches egg develops into a larvae & attaches itself to an object in the itself to an object in the water where it develops into an adult water where it develops into an adult

ExcretionExcretion

• Waste is collected by the Waste is collected by the amoebocytes through diffusion & it amoebocytes through diffusion & it leaves through the osculumleaves through the osculum