Phylum Porifera includes the simplest multicellular animals known as sponges. Sponges live in both marine and freshwater environments and range in size from 2 cm to 2 m. They have specialized cells but lack true tissues and organs. Sponges filter feed by drawing water in through pores and using flagellated cells called choanocytes to trap plankton, while amoebocytes digest and distribute the food. Reproduction can occur sexually via releasing eggs and sperm into the water or asexually by fragmentation or budding.

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 SessileSessile as adults (attach to rocks)
o Free-swimming larval stage
o They have sexual and asexual reproduction
o They reproduce asexually by
fragmentationfragmentation (pieces break off & form a
new sponge)
o Sponges also reproduce asexually byasexually by
buddingbudding

10. Sexual ReproductionSexual 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

11. •ChoanocytesChoanocytes are cells that
line the gastrovascular
cavity & capture food
•AmebocytesAmebocytes digest &
distribute food

12. 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

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

16. 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)

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