Types of organisms:
From http://poriferah.blogspot.com/2007/02/examples-of-sponges.html, here are a few types of Porifera, better known as sponges.
From http://poriferah.blogspot.com/2007/02/examples-of-sponges.html, here are a few types of Porifera, better known as sponges.
Type of Symmetry:
As https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/type-symmetry-sponges-99df8d9178e8849b points out, most Porifera either have a Radial symmetry, or lack symmetry altogether! Isn't that astonishing?
As https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/type-symmetry-sponges-99df8d9178e8849b points out, most Porifera either have a Radial symmetry, or lack symmetry altogether! Isn't that astonishing?
Reproduction Method:
tolweb.org/tree/home.pages/treehouses.html explains to us how Porifera are capable of either type of reproduction: sexual or asexual! On top of that, the majority of sponges are hermaphrodites, meaning they can be male or female! No wonder they're so abundant!
tolweb.org/tree/home.pages/treehouses.html explains to us how Porifera are capable of either type of reproduction: sexual or asexual! On top of that, the majority of sponges are hermaphrodites, meaning they can be male or female! No wonder they're so abundant!
Do these organisms have organs and true tissues?
They don’t, according to https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/invertebrates-28/phylum-porifera-166/phylum-porifera-641-11863/. Said site also says that ALL sponges lack any form of symmetry, but we're more interested in their inherent lack of organs. Despite this, Porifera have cells that are specialized in performing specific tasks, in a similar vein as organs. (no pun intended). Neat, huh?
They don’t, according to https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/invertebrates-28/phylum-porifera-166/phylum-porifera-641-11863/. Said site also says that ALL sponges lack any form of symmetry, but we're more interested in their inherent lack of organs. Despite this, Porifera have cells that are specialized in performing specific tasks, in a similar vein as organs. (no pun intended). Neat, huh?
What does “Sessile” mean, referring to sponges?
The answer lies with http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Sessile. This biological dictionary defines it as an adjective, roughly meaning a lack of free movement or the ability to maneuvre. To put it simply, most sponges fixed in place, with little to no movement capabilities at all! Poor sponges! (Get it?)
The answer lies with http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Sessile. This biological dictionary defines it as an adjective, roughly meaning a lack of free movement or the ability to maneuvre. To put it simply, most sponges fixed in place, with little to no movement capabilities at all! Poor sponges! (Get it?)
What do YOU find interesting about these animals?
I thought some sponges could move around freely, but it turns out most of them are locked in place! Finding that out, although not a huge shock, still fascinates me, especially due to their reproductive prowess. As mentioned earlier, the majority of the Porifera Phylum has no symmetry, whichI must say boggles my mind quite a bit. I can only imagine that measuring creatures that lack a distinct type of symmetry would be challenging!
I thought some sponges could move around freely, but it turns out most of them are locked in place! Finding that out, although not a huge shock, still fascinates me, especially due to their reproductive prowess. As mentioned earlier, the majority of the Porifera Phylum has no symmetry, whichI must say boggles my mind quite a bit. I can only imagine that measuring creatures that lack a distinct type of symmetry would be challenging!