Latin name: Scypha
Phylum: Porifera
Sub Phylum: --
Order: Heterocoela
Family: Sycettidae
Genus: --
Species: Scypha
Class: Calcarea
Area Name: --
Breathing:
No special respiratory Organs can be designated, but it is obvious that the stream of water moving through the body provides excellent conditions for respiratory exchange. A large surface is exposed, and a new supply of water is constantly provided. The percentage of oxygen removed from the water entering the Organism is known as oxygen withdrawal. Hazelhoff found that oxygen withdrawal varies considerably with the species. Considering the quantity of water they process, this seems Relatively unimportant. Where water flows rapidly over an extensive surface, low ratea withdrawal may provide adequate oxygen. Sponges are generally aerobic and sensitive to low oxygen availability. Closure of the osculum for a time results in an above-normal oxygen uptake during recovery. Evidently some kind of oxygen debt system operates in sponges. When metabolism is carried out under conditions of oxygen shortage, complex organic end products are formed. If these accumulate in the body, they and oxidized when oxygen becomes available, and oxygen use rises. Closure of the oscula prevents the washing out of these compounds by water flowing through the sponge, and it is not Surprising that they consume more oxygen afterwards.
Habitat:
Sponges can be found in almost all aquatic habitats. Most sponges, though, can be found in the marine environment. Most sponges are filled with toxic substances, probably to scare away Predators. Because of this, many other organisms sponges to attach themselves for protection. Some of the chemicals have been found to be beneficial in making medicine for humans. Some marine plants, algae, and bacteria have been found to have a symbiotic relationship with sponges in the marine environment (a symbiotic relationship is a relationship that benefits both organisms). In this relationship, the sponge provides support and protection and the other Organism provides food for the sponge.
Digestion:
Digestion occurs in food vacuoles and food is absorbed across the vacuolar membrane, as in protozoa. However, in most sponges the cells that ingest foods do not digest it. The small Demospongia choanocytes take food in but pass it on immediately to amoebocytes for Digestion. The ability to pass food from cell to cell is not unique in sponges, but is unusually important in their physiology.
Reproduction:
Sponges can reproduce either sexually or asexual. Asexual reproduction is by means of buds. Sexual reproduction is carried out as follows. Male gametes are released by a sponge into the water. The gametes are then taken into another sponge by its pore system, just like food. Spermatozoa are captured by the collar cells, which then turn into amoeba-like cells and carry the spermatozoa to the eggs. The fertilized egg then develops into a larvae and is released into the water. This process differs among different sponges. Usually, the larva then settles into the ground and forms a new adult sponge. Sometimes, though, the larvae will stay floating in the water for a time.
