Sponge Dissection |
Structure/Function:
The sponge is a relatively simple animal that is asymmetrical or radial symmetry. They have suspension feeders, and chaonocytes ingest food, with no cephalization. They reproduce by releasing sperm into the water, and some are asexual. They have a stiff skeleton made of spicules in a tube-like shape. They are ideal habitats for marine animals because they improve nutrient cycles and lower nitrogen levels in coral reef systems. This keeps other organisms healthy. They also have good relationships with other animals, for example, if a sponge lives on a scallop, it protects the scallop while the sponge gets good living conditions. Spicules on sponges direct sunlight, which allows them to get enough light.
Ecology:
Sponges generally exist in coral reefs or on rocky shores. Their color and shape varies depending on the environmental conditions. They are found at all latitudes beneath the world's oceans, from the intertidal to deep sea. Generally, they are sessile, but they have been shown to be able to move up to 4mm per day.
The sponge is a relatively simple animal that is asymmetrical or radial symmetry. They have suspension feeders, and chaonocytes ingest food, with no cephalization. They reproduce by releasing sperm into the water, and some are asexual. They have a stiff skeleton made of spicules in a tube-like shape. They are ideal habitats for marine animals because they improve nutrient cycles and lower nitrogen levels in coral reef systems. This keeps other organisms healthy. They also have good relationships with other animals, for example, if a sponge lives on a scallop, it protects the scallop while the sponge gets good living conditions. Spicules on sponges direct sunlight, which allows them to get enough light.
Ecology:
Sponges generally exist in coral reefs or on rocky shores. Their color and shape varies depending on the environmental conditions. They are found at all latitudes beneath the world's oceans, from the intertidal to deep sea. Generally, they are sessile, but they have been shown to be able to move up to 4mm per day.