Phylum Porifera includes about 5,000 living species of sponges. There are three main classes: Hexactinellida (glass sponges), Demospongia (most diverse class making up 90% of species), and Calcarea (found in shallow waters with calcium carbonate spicules). Sponges are the most primitive multicellular animals and feed by filtering water through their outer walls using flagella and contractile cells to pump water in and out for feeding, waste removal, and oxygen intake. They reproduce both sexually and asexually.

1. Phylum Porifera “ Sponges” Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Porifera Classes: Hexactinellida Demospongia Calcarea

8. Structure / Anatomy:

9. Structure / Anatomy:

11. Spicules: