PHYLUM PORIFERA

 

This is the phylum of sponges. There are approximately 5,000 living species of sponges. [44]

 

The phylum is further divided into 3 classes: Hexactinellida (glass sponges), the Demospongia, and the Calcarea (calcareous sponges). [44] 

 

Poriferans don't have mouths; instead, they have tiny pores in their outer walls through which water is brought in and out. [44]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With this, cells in the sponge walls filter food and other nutrients from the water as the water is pumped through the body and out other larger openings. [44]

 

Sponges reproduce asexually through binary fission. [44]

 

 

 

About Sponges:

 

Did you know...?

Sponges have inhabited the Earth for around 600 million years. [57]

 

Sponges have no complex nervous, digestive, or circulatory system. [57]

 

Some deep-water sponges can live to be over 200 years old. [57]

 

Sponges posses asymmetrical [8]

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They have no mouth or anus [8] 

 

Their bodies are covered with pores [8]

 

Sponges are vigorous filters, as they can filter an amount of water 100,000 times their size each day! (Picture this: it means a basketball-sized sponge could filter an entire residential pool in one day. That's a looot of water!) [57] 

 

Scientists have discovered that some of the chemicals sponges often release to prevent predators from eating them may have potential to treat cancer and HIV. [57]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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