Biology Sponges and Cnidarians

Porifera

Phylum of pore-bearing animals, sponges.

Ectoderm

Outer layer of sponge tissue.

Endoderm

Inner layer of sponge tissue.

Mesenchyme

Jelly-like substance between sponge layers.

Amebocytes

Undifferentiated cells in sponges, can transform.

Incurrent pores

Openings for water entry in sponges.

Osculum

Single opening for water exit in sponges.

Sessile

Organisms that cannot move, attached permanently.

Spicules

Bone-like structures maintaining sponge shape.

Calcarea

First phylum; spicules made of calcium carbonate.

Silicea

Second phylum; spicules made of silica.

Demospongiae

Type of sponge, often lacks spicules.

Suspension feeders

Organisms filtering food from water.

Spongocoel

Central cavity in sponges for water flow.

Asexual reproduction

Reproduction without gametes, includes budding.

Gemmules

Resistant cells produced by sponges.

Hermaphrodites

Organisms producing both eggs and sperm.