1. Phylum Porifera A.K.A.Sponges

2. Sponges are an animal?? Yes, they are!!! Yes, they are!!! Sessile- sponges do not move; anchored to one place (rock or shell) Sessile- sponges do not move; anchored to one place (rock or shell) Sponges have no specialized tissues, organs, or symmetry Sponges have no specialized tissues, organs, or symmetry Basically a sponge is a bunch of cells grouped together Basically a sponge is a bunch of cells grouped together Live in shallow seas & some in fresh water Live in shallow seas & some in fresh water

3. General Characteristics Asymmetric (no true symmetry) Asymmetric (no true symmetry) Wide variety of colors Wide variety of colors Shapes- look like balls, discs, vases, Shapes- look like balls, discs, vases, branching shrubs, or small trees branching shrubs, or small trees “pore-bearing”- look like a sack full of “pore-bearing”- look like a sack full of holes holes

4. Skeletal system Spongin- flexible protein Spongin- flexible protein Spicules- spikes/needles Spicules- spikes/needles of calcium carbonate of calcium carbonate Provide support SpiculesSpongin

5. Digestion Filter feeder (heterotroph)- bring in small food particles from water through porocytes (pores) & travels through spongocoel (central cavity) Filter feeder (heterotroph)- bring in small food particles from water through porocytes (pores) & travels through spongocoel (central cavity) Then the choanocytes trap & digest food; Then the choanocytes trap & digest food; Next, amoebocytes carry nutrients to cells & take away waste; Next, amoebocytes carry nutrients to cells & take away waste; Finally, the remaining water leaves through the osculum (opening at top of sponge) Finally, the remaining water leaves through the osculum (opening at top of sponge)

6. Hey, nice choanocyte you got there!

7. Nervous and Circulatory System Sponges don’t have them!! Sponges don’t have them!!

8. Respiration Diffusion- oxygen from water moves into sponge cells (high to low) Diffusion- oxygen from water moves into sponge cells (high to low)

9. Reproduction Asexual- budding -small piece of sponge breaks off from parent & develops into a full grown sponge Asexual- budding -small piece of sponge breaks off from parent & develops into a full grown sponge Sexual- hermaphrodites (produce eggs & sperm at different times); Sexual- hermaphrodites (produce eggs & sperm at different times); sperm cells made by one sponge are carried to another sponge by water & once inside the sperm fertilizes the egg; sperm cells made by one sponge are carried to another sponge by water & once inside the sperm fertilizes the egg; egg develops into a larvae & attaches itself to an object in the water where it develops into an adult egg develops into a larvae & attaches itself to an object in the water where it develops into an adult

10. Excretion Waste is collected by the amoebocytes through diffusion & it leaves through the osculum Waste is collected by the amoebocytes through diffusion & it leaves through the osculum