Porifera

Question 1

How many species of Porifera are there?

Answer 1

15000

Question 2

Name the main shared features of Porifera

Answer 2

Mostly marine
Sessile as adults
No muscles, nerves or true organs
Surface perforated with openings
Inner cavity (atrium)
Skeletal lattice
Filter feeders
Constant flow of water through body
Can regenerate
Radial symmetry

Question 3

What is the outer surface called?

Answer 3

Pincaoderm, made of pinacocytes. Beneath is the mesohyl

Question 4

What three substances can a Porifera’s skeletal lattice be made from?

Answer 4

Silical spiricules
Calcium carbonate
Spongin

Question 5

What are the three body designs of Porifera?

Answer 5

Asconoid - hollow chamber is present
Syconoid - hollow chamber with pockets is present
Leuconoid - complex network of water vessels is present

Question 6

How do Porifera feed?

Answer 6

Filter feeding - water is passed through a mesh which strains out food

Question 7

How do Porifera reproduce?

Answer 7

Sexually - They are hermaphroditic. Sperm is released into the water via the osculum, and is then captured by female stage sponges via the ostia. The zygote then develops into ciliated larvae

Asexually - Buddinh

Question 8

What is the ecological importance of Porifera?

Answer 8

Organizers of communities
Food for grazers such as turtles and sea slugs
Humans and dolphins use them as tools