Phylum Porifera Flashcards
Which Phyla is thought to be the first animal to exist?
Porifera
What type of environment do Porifera exist in?
They are all aquatic animals.
Without water movement, what can sponges not do?
Reproduce, eat, respiration (O2/Co2)
What is the spongocoel?
A lack of structure or cavity within the sponge.
What are choanocytes?
Choanocytes are the cells that line the inner spores of sponges.
What parts make up choanocytes?
The top portion of the choanocytes composed of microvilli, is called the collar. Theb bottom portion of the choanocyte is called the soma. Within the choanocytes there is a flagellum.
What are microvilli?
This broom-like structure that make up the head portion of choanocytes.
What purpose does the flagellum serve in Porifera?
It propels water to and from the sponge, allowing food to travel to the Porifera.
What limits the number of choanocytes present?
The surface area of the spongocoel.
Describe the movement of Porifera and the method they consume food
Porifera are sessile filter-feeders.
What level of organization do sponges fall into?
Cellular (remember the cheese cloth example)!
Name the different types of sponges
Ascon, Leucon, and Sycon
Which type of sponge is the most prominent?
Leucon - approximately 80% of the phylum are Leucon sponges.
Describe an Ascon sponge
(size & high or low choanocytes)
Smaller in size and relatively smaller number of choanocytes.
What happens when there is more choanocytes?
When there are more choanocytes there is more water flow due to an increased amount of flagellum (from the choanocytes). This allows for more food.
