Purpose
To examine and compare the basic microscopic features of sponges, members of the Phylum Porifera, as well as examine and sketch full sponges.
Materials
Specimines of sponges and their various microscopic body structures on slides
Microscope
Hand lenses
Blank paper and pencil
Microscope
Hand lenses
Blank paper and pencil
Method
1. On a blank piece of paper, make a drawing of each of the sponge specimins set up around the room. Lable as many structures as you can, but only lable the ones you can see.
2. View the slides of the spicules and sketch them on the same paper
3. Place all drawings into the portfolio or website
2. View the slides of the spicules and sketch them on the same paper
3. Place all drawings into the portfolio or website
Results
Analysis
1. Q: Descibe how water moves through a sponge.
A: The water is brought into the body of the sponge by many small channels along its sides called ostrums. The water travels into the body, where it is pushed through the body by the flagella of collar cells. The nutrients are removed, and the remaining water is sent out through the osculum on top of the sponge.
2. Q: What important role does water play in the survival of a sponge?
A: Sponges rely on ocean currents to carry their sperm to the eggs of other sponges to reproduce. They need water to bring nutrients into their bodies, and at the same time, remove any excrements produced by the sponge. It also aids in circulation and respiration.
3. Q: How do sponges reproduce?
A: Sponges can reproduce either sexually or asexually. During secual reproduction, the collar cells turn into sperm, and the amebocyte cells throughout the sponge turn into eggs. The sponge releases the sperm and eggs, and ocean currents carry the eggs to other locations with other sponges to become fertilized, land on the ocean floor and begin to grow into new sponges.
4. Q: What material(s) gives a sponge its support and structure?
A: Most sponges contain spicules, small triangular structures made of glass. These are scattered throughout the body of the sponge, and are made of a naturally occuring glass. They act as the skeleton of the sponge. Sponges that are softer and stretchy contain spongin. The spongin is made out of collagen, which gives it the stretchyness. These softer sponges are used as natural bath sponges.
A: The water is brought into the body of the sponge by many small channels along its sides called ostrums. The water travels into the body, where it is pushed through the body by the flagella of collar cells. The nutrients are removed, and the remaining water is sent out through the osculum on top of the sponge.
2. Q: What important role does water play in the survival of a sponge?
A: Sponges rely on ocean currents to carry their sperm to the eggs of other sponges to reproduce. They need water to bring nutrients into their bodies, and at the same time, remove any excrements produced by the sponge. It also aids in circulation and respiration.
3. Q: How do sponges reproduce?
A: Sponges can reproduce either sexually or asexually. During secual reproduction, the collar cells turn into sperm, and the amebocyte cells throughout the sponge turn into eggs. The sponge releases the sperm and eggs, and ocean currents carry the eggs to other locations with other sponges to become fertilized, land on the ocean floor and begin to grow into new sponges.
4. Q: What material(s) gives a sponge its support and structure?
A: Most sponges contain spicules, small triangular structures made of glass. These are scattered throughout the body of the sponge, and are made of a naturally occuring glass. They act as the skeleton of the sponge. Sponges that are softer and stretchy contain spongin. The spongin is made out of collagen, which gives it the stretchyness. These softer sponges are used as natural bath sponges.