SEA SPONGES

HISTORY

• Sponges are prodominetely marine with the exception of family spongillidae
• Sponges are usually sessile, but some are able to move slowly
• Farmed and sold in italy

STRUCTURE

• The osculum is a large hole at the top of the sponge
• Water flows through the pores on the sponge
• Different sponges have different shapes and sizes

FUNCTION

• Sponges serve as habitats to other marine organisms
• Sponges feed off of microscopic organisms in the water
• Sponges have specialized cells

REPRODUCTION

• Can produce either sexually or asexually
• Eggs are fertilized inside the sponges body
• After fertilization, the zygote develops into a larva

MOVEMENT

• Some are able to move slowly, up to 4 mm a day
• Most are sessile

EXCRETION, RESPIRATION, AND RESPONSE

• Sponges rely on the water current to carry out body functions
• Oxygen from the water defuses into the cells
• Poop dissolves into the water flowing through the cell
• Sponge cells do not have a good nervous system
• It doesn't let them react to the environment but they make themselves poisonesss to predators

FEEDING

• They are filter feeders that sift microscopic food
• As water moves through the sponge, food particles sare trapped
• The particles are then digested in the sponge
• Then passed onto archaeocytes

ECOLOGY

• Sponges form partnerships with photosynthetic microorganisms
• Sponges usually live attached to the sea floor
• This is where they often receive low levels of sunlight

CREDITS:

• Prentice hall biology book