Sponges Vocabulary

Sessile

not able to move freely

Ostia

pores that are perforate

choanocytes

flagellated sponge cells that help mover water currents through chambers and canals of a sponge

spicules

either calcareous or siliceous skeletal elements of a sponge

Totipotent

possessing cellular plasticity in which a cell is capable of changing form and function

Osculum

an opening found at the top of some sponges

spongin

modified collagen fibers found in a sponge

atrium

interior cavity of a sponge

hermaphroditic

possessing both male and female reproductive capabilities

porocyte

a ring shaped cell of a sponge that forms the incurrent pore

pinacoderm

the outer surface of a sponge

choanoderm

the inner lining of the atrium of a sponge

mesohyl

a middle layer of a sponge

collencytes

ameboid cells found in the mesohyl of sponges

spongecytes

amboid cells found in the mesohyl