The skeletal SYstem of porifera
Porifera are multicellular organisms which has bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them. This creates a jelly like mesohyl between two thin layers of cells. The mesohyl functions as a endoskeleton in the majority of sponges. They do not contain any steletal system within their bodies but they do contain a exoskeleton. Their bodies have no definite structure but their body shapes adapt to the flow of water around them.
The skeleton of the sponge is composed of tiny needle-like splinters called
spicules, a mesh of protein called spongin, and sometimes a combination of both. Many sponges can only be identified by microscopic examination of the skeleton because they are so small. |
Their outer skeletons are supported by non-living calcareous structural elements called spicules. Calcareous is mostly composed of calcium carbonate.
|
This sponge is very closely related to the tube sponge because it's skeleton is composed of tiny needle- like splinters called spicules. The major difference it that it grows in ropy like branches.
|