Phylum Porifera includes simple multicellular animals known as sponges. Sponges are the simplest animals and lack tissues and organs. They contain specialized cells but no other levels of organization. Most sponges are marine and live in saltwater, though some freshwater species exist. Sponges range in size from 2 cm to 2 meters. They filter feed by drawing water in through pores to capture plankton and oxygen, then releasing the water through a large opening called an osculum. Sponges have asymmetrical, sessile bodies that attach to rocks as adults but have a free-swimming larval stage. They can also reproduce asexually through fragmentation.

1. Phylum – PoriferaPhylum – Porifera
The SpongesThe Sponges

4. TaxonomyTaxonomy
• Kingdom – AnimaliaAnimalia
• Phylum – PoriferaPorifera (pores)

5. CharacteristicsCharacteristics
o SimplestSimplest of all animals
o Contain specialized cellsspecialized cells but
no other organization level
o Most are marinemarine
o Saltwater sponges are
brightly coloredbrightly colored
o Freshwater spongesFreshwater sponges are small
and dull green color
o Size – 2 cm to 2 m2 cm to 2 m

6. CharacteristicsCharacteristics
o PoriferaPorifera means pore-
bearing
o WaterWater enters through
pores bringing in foodfood
and oxygenand oxygen
o Filter feedersFilter feeders on
plankton
o OsculumOsculum – large opening
at the top where excess
water leaves

7. Water FlowWater Flow
Through theThrough the
SpongeSponge
WATER INWATER IN
WATER OUTWATER OUT
OsculumOsculum

8. Water Flow Through SpongeWater Flow Through Sponge

9. CharacteristicsCharacteristics
o AsymmetricalAsymmetrical
o SessileSessile as adults
(attach to rocks)
o Free-swimming larval
stage
o Also reproduce by
fragmentationfragmentation (pieces
break off & form a
new sponge)

10. •ChoanocytesChoanocytes line the
gastrovascular cavity &
capture food
•AmebocytesAmebocytes digest &
distribute food

11. Specialized CellsSpecialized Cells
• ChoanocytesChoanocytes (collar
cells) line inside of
body cavity
• Have flagellaflagella that
spins to pull in water
& food
• CollarCollar traps planktonplankton
(food) from water
Collar

13. o Amebocytes:Amebocytes:
• Pick up foodPick up food from
choanocytes
• Finish digestiondigestion
• MoveMove & take food to
other cells
Other Specialized CellsOther Specialized Cells

15. Skeletal Structure of the SpongeSkeletal Structure of the Sponge
• Skeleton made of network of
protein fibers and SpiculesSpicules
• Spicules made of CaCOCaCO33
(limestone) or silicasilica (glass)

16. Sponge ReproductionSponge Reproduction
o Sponges can
regenerateregenerate (regrow)
lost body parts
through mitotic cell
division (asexual)
o Sponges also
reproduce asexuallyasexually
by buddingby budding

17. Sponge ReproductionSponge Reproduction
o Sponges are
hermaphroditeshermaphrodites (produce
both eggs & sperm)
o Sponges reproduce
SexuallySexually by releasingreleasing
eggs & spermeggs & sperm into the
water from thefrom the OsculumOsculum
Sponge
releasing eggs
& sperm

18. Branching Tube SpongeBranching Tube Sponge

19. Stove Pipe SpongeStove Pipe Sponge

20. Vase SpongesVase Sponges

21. Barrel SpongesBarrel Sponges

22. Ball SpongesBall Sponges

23. RopeRope
SpongesSponges