Phylum Porifera Lecture Notes

Comprehensive flashcards covering the biological characteristics, cell types, body plans, classification, and ecological roles of sponges as described in the lecture notes.

How many species of sponges are currently recognized according to the notes?

Approximately $9,000$ species.

What are archenocytes?

Specific totipotent cells that, like stem cells, allow a sponge to regenerate itself into an organism.

What is the function of choanocytes in a sponge?

They catch food and possess a flagellum that spins to move water through the sponge.

Which sponge cell type forms the outer layer and may be able to contract to help regulate openings?

pina cocytes

What is the simplest body plan for a sponge, characterized by pores called ostia and a central spongowel?

asconoid

Which body plan is the most complex and allows sponges to reach large sizes using chambers?

Leuconoid

What volume of water can a sponge filter in a single day?

$$1500\,L$$

Which class of sponges consists of approximately $80\%$ of all sponges on earth and are all leuconoids?

Demo spongiae

What type of spicules are found in the class Calcarea?

calcium carbonate spiricals

What unique cell organization is found in class hexactinellida where many cells fuse to share many nucleuses?

Syncytial organization

What are the characteristics of the spicules in class hexactinellida?

U-rayed silica spicules

Which sponge class possesses a basiall amenia and collagen type IV?

homoscleromorpha

In the 'sponge loop' cycle, what does DOC stand for?

dissolved organic carbon

How do carnivorous sponges catch prey since they lack choanocytes?

They use hooked spicules to catch small fish and inverts.

What is the function of gemmures in freshwater sponges?

The outer membrane with spicules allows the sponge to survive harsh conditions.

What is the name of the swimming larva that sponges produce during sexual reproduction?

pharenchymvia larva

What is the estimated lifespan of the largest sponges found in the Antarctic?

$8,000$ - $10,000$ yrs

What pharmaceutical extracted from a tropical sponge is used in chemotherapy, mainly for leukemia?

cytarabine