sponge![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Porous multicell organism, mostly marine (currently about 5,000 species); it anchors itself to a support and filters water to take in food particles.
anatomy of a sponge ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
pinacocyte ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Flat ectodermal cell forming the outer covering of the sponge.
spongocoel ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Hollow portion of the sponge covered with choanocytes, in which water circulates before exiting through the osculum.
mesohyl ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Gelatinous substance, rich in water, located between the ectoderm and the endoderm.
endoderm ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Inner layer of the sponge formed of cells (choanocytes) whose role is mainly to feed the organism.
ectoderm ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Outer layer of the sponge formed of cells (pinacocytes) whose role is mainly to protect the organism.
incurrent pore ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Opening into the gastric cavity, through which water enters the sponge.
osculum ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Large opening protected by spicules, through which the sponge discharges water from the gastric cavity.
water flow ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Choanocyte flagella allow water to move inside the sponge, carrying oxygen and food particles to it.
choanocyte ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Inner cell having a filament (flagellum), which allows water to circulate and food particles to be caught and digested.
calcareous sponge ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Marine sponge with a skeleton composed of small calcareous needles (spicules).