The Sponges of Phylum Porifera (Pore Bearer) are very simple creatures. Their cells form a labyrinth of passages and pores, through which water circulates. This constant flow of water is required in order for sponges to live.
Support/Skeleton
1) Spicules created by sclerocytes. 2) Spongin, a form of collagen secreted by spongocytes Sensory/Nervous Porifera do not possess a sensory or nervous system of any kind. Feeding/Digestion Sponges do not have a digestive system and feed via water flow. As water passes through a sponge's body, particles are absorbed by pinacocytes, archaeocytes, or choanocytes (80%) depending on particle size. |
Excretion/Osmoregulation
This processes takes place through diffusion between the sponge's cells and the water moving through it Transport/Circulation Without a proper circulatory system, Porifera depend on diffusion , for this process. Gas Exchange/Respiration Porifera depend on diffusion to take in oxygen. |
Organisms Studied
We dissected a sponge in class to observe what structures we could see. Distinguishing Features Sponges have a specialized form of collagen, called Spongin, that is used to form the support structure of the creatures bodies. They also contain a spongocoel, which is the large cavity centrally located in the body of the sponge. |