NAME: _________ ____________
BLOCK:______
Biology 11
PHYLUM PORIFERA
DATE: _______________________
Ms. Smith
Warm-up:
How do you think sponges carry out their life functions?
The main characteristics of sponges are:
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NAME: _________ ____________
Biology 11
BLOCK:______
PHYLUM PORIFERA
DATE: _______________________
Ms. Smith
Use the information on the bottom of the page to determine the names of the structures in the diagram below.
Sponge Anatomy
Sponges do not have organs or tissue, and all the cells show some independence. The sponge is made up
of two layers that are only one cell thick and a mesophyl in between. The outer (sac) layer consists of flattened
cells called pinacocytes. The middle (mesophyl) layer consists of gelatinous protein/carbohydrate material, a
range of mobile cells (amoebocytes: kind of like amoebas), and a skeleton. The skeleton can be made of spicules
(calcium or silicon-based) or of elastic fibers called spongin (a protein). The inner layer consists of cells with
flagella called collar cells, or choanocytes.
The body is permeated by numerous pores called ostia (singular: ostium) that open into inhalant canals.
These canals lead to the spongocoel (the cavity inside the sponge) which is lined with choanocytes. The whipping
action of the choanocyte flagella creates a current of water that starts from the ostia, moves through the sponge
body, and flows out the osculum. The choanocytes filter plankton and small bits of organic detritus from the
water and, like the pinacocytes, absorb oxygen. Food is digested in the amoebocytes that pick up food from the
choanocytes after they ingest it. Waste products leave the sponge though the osculum. Sponges are limited in
size by the rate at which water can flow in and out of the spongocoel, bringing in oxygen and food-bearing water
and removing waste products.
NAME: _________ ____________
BLOCK:______
Biology 11
PHYLUM PORIFERA
DATE: _______________________
Ms. Smith
Diagram of Gemmule:
Why do you think the Gemmule can survive longer and better than the normal sponge structure?
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How can a sponge reproduce sexually?
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How can a sponge reproduce asexually?
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NAME: _________ ____________
Biology 11
BLOCK:______
DATE: _______________________
PHYLUM PORIFERA
Ms. Smith
SUMMARY PAGE:
3 defining features of porifera:
1.
Phylogenetic tree:
Porifera
2.
3.
The rest of
Kingdom
Animalia
Describe the water transport system and why it is important for members of this phylum to live:
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Draw and label a basic drawing of a sponge. Include the ostia, osculum, choanocytes, spongocoel, mesophyl,
and amoebocytes.