Phylum Porifera: Sponges

Phylum Porifera: Sponges

cellular level of organization
no tissues/organs

no germ layers sessile mostly asymmetrical

Sponge Anatomy

Cell Types

choanocytes pinacocytes sclerocytes amoeboid cells archeocytescapacity to transform

Skeleton
skeletal matrix: spicules
CaCO2 & silica

Spicules

Sponge Structure
three grades of complexity asconoid- simplest body type

Syconoid
3x increase in surface area over asconoid surface/volume constraints & increased size flagellated chambers

Water Flow
ostia incurrent canals atrium osculum

Leuconoid
15x increase in surface area over asconoid most complex large size reduced atrium numerous flagellated chambers multiple oscula

Reproduction
Regeneration Asexual Reproduction:

gemmules- produced in response to harsh environmental conditions budding mostly monoecious archeocytes---> germ cells choanocytes & sperm transport

Sexual Reproduction:

Gemmule

Class Calcarea
calcium carbonate spicules (CaCO2) small size radial symmetry marine

Class Hexactinellida
six-rayed spicules of silica large size radial symmetry deep marine

Class Demospongiae
"people sponges" spongin & spicules of silica marine & fresh water all leuconoid