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sponge
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freshwater sponge (Spongilla) freshwater sponge multicellular animal Figure 33: (Top) A colony of three species of sponges, approximately three-quarters of life size. At top of colony is a small bread-crumb sponge (Halichondria); branching mass at right is leucosolenia complicata; tubular sponges on left are Scypha cilia (Top) Spongia, (centre) Hippospongia communis, and (bottom) Spongia respiration: animals
Exploring underwater caves at Calanques National Park
A simple saclike sponge. Its surface is perforated by small openings (incurrent pores) formed by tubelike cells (porocytes), which open into the internal cavity. A gelatinous middle layer contains the skeletal elements (spicules and spongin fibers) as well as amebocytes active in digestion, waste removal, and spicule and spongin formation. Flagellated collar cells (choanocytes) line the internal cavity, create currents to move water containing oxygen and food into the sponge, and engulf and digest food particles. Water and wastes are expelled through the ostium opening, whose size can be altered to regulate water flow through the sponge.
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sponge summary
Quizzes
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters
Animal Group Names
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Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)
Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz
vulture. An adult bearded vulture at a raptor recovery center. The Gypaetus barbatus also known as the Lammergeier or Lammergeyer, is a bird of prey and considered an Old World vulture.
Animal Factoids
Mushrooms growing in forest. (vegetable; fungus; mushroom; macrofungi; epigeous)
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Discover
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sponge: Facts & Related Content

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Facts

Also Known As Porifera • poriferan

Photos and Videos

freshwater sponge (Spongilla)
freshwater sponge
multicellular animal
Figure 33: (Top) A colony of three species of sponges, approximately three-quarters of life size. At top of colony is a small bread-crumb sponge (Halichondria); branching mass at right is leucosolenia complicata; tubular sponges on left are Scypha cilia
(Top) Spongia, (centre) Hippospongia communis, and (bottom) Spongia
respiration: animals
A simple saclike sponge. Its surface is perforated by small openings (incurrent pores) formed by tubelike cells (porocytes), which open into the internal cavity. A gelatinous middle layer contains the skeletal elements (spicules and spongin fibers) as well as amebocytes active in digestion, waste removal, and spicule and spongin formation. Flagellated collar cells (choanocytes) line the internal cavity, create currents to move water containing oxygen and food into the sponge, and engulf and digest food particles. Water and wastes are expelled through the ostium opening, whose size can be altered to regulate water flow through the sponge.
Exploring underwater caves at Calanques National Park
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Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Bowerbank
James Scott Bowerbank
British naturalist and paleontologist

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters
Animal Group Names
vulture. An adult bearded vulture at a raptor recovery center. The Gypaetus barbatus also known as the Lammergeier or Lammergeyer, is a bird of prey and considered an Old World vulture.
Animal Factoids
Mushrooms growing in forest. (vegetable; fungus; mushroom; macrofungi; epigeous)
Science at Random Quiz
Lion (panthera leo)
Deadliest Animals Quiz
Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)
Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz