• 10,000+species - all aquatic; 99% marine

•Invertebrates (no backbone)•Simplest multicellular animals•No true tissues or organs

•Asymmetrical No definite shape or

form

• Benthic– Live on bottom of sea

• Sessile– Live attached to

substrate

• Skeleton– Prevents collapse

of animal; forms lattice to suspend cells

•Spicules - silica

•Spongin - protein

• Covered w/pores called osculum– Large excurrent pore

(can have 1 or more)

Ostia– Tiny, incurrent pores

• Filter Chamber (Atrium)

Collar Cells Line inside of filter

chamber

• Create water currents to trap food

• Bring in Oxygen

• Remove wastes

SPONGESTRUCTURE

• Filter Feeders– Organic particles

& plankton

• Asexual– Branches or buds

break off & grow into separate sponges

- “budding”

• Sexual– Sponges produce

both male & female gametes to produce planktonic larva

Many sea turtles eat sponges

Hermit crab shells covered with sponges make great camoflage