Understanding Sponges: Structure, Forms, and Function in Marine Ecosystems

Biology

Marine Science

NGSS

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| Questions: 18 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025

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1. What is the body design of sponges?

Bilateral body symmetry with highly specialized organs for locomotion and digestion.

Mobile organisms capable of rapid movement and hunting for prey in a coordinated manner.

Uniquely multicellular body specialized for filter feeding, by separating of suspended food particles from water by passing them through a... Uniquely multicellular body specialized for filter feeding, by separating of suspended food particles from water by passing them through a mesh that strains out the food,Dynamic ameboid movement of cells in tissue and totipotent cells that allow for dynamic change in body structure.This suggests that sponges are an intermediate form between protozoans and other metazoans in which tissues and cells are more permanently specialized.Porous and allows water to pass through body and absorbs food.Sessile and attached organisms, although some have limited movementBody symmetry may be radial (sphere, cone, or cylinder), but asymmetry predominates. Indeterminate Growth

Solid body structure with no openings for water flow and food absorption.

Sponges have a unique multicellular body specialized for filter feeding, characterized by their porous and sessile nature, contrary to bilateral symmetry, solid body structure, and mobile hunting organisms mentioned in the incorrect answers.

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About This Quiz

Explore the unique multicellular structure and filter-feeding mechanisms of sponges in this focused study. Understand their role in marine ecosystems and their evolutionary significance. Ideal for learners interested in marine biology and ecological studies.

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2. What is the characteristic of an asconoid form?

Has a spherical shape with no defined base or attachment to the substratum.

Is a complex anatomical design with multiple layers of cells and intricate internal structures.

Is the simplest of the anatomical designs and is a hollow cylinder attached by its base to the substratum. ... Is the simplest of the anatomical designs and is a hollow cylinder attached by its base to the substratum. The body surface is covered by a monolayer of flat cells called pinacoderm(platter skin). The hollow interior, the atrium or spongocoel, is lined with a monolayer of plagellated collar cells coalled choanoderm (Collar skin). many small pores known as ostia perforate the cylinder wall.The open end known as the osculum is located at the upper, free end of the body.Aquiferous system: The flagellated choanoderm creates a unidirectional water flow that enters the ostia, passes over the choanoderm en route to the atrium, and exits the osculum. Usually less than 1 mm because this body design does not allow for an increase in the area-volume ratio because the pumping capacity of the choanoderm is limited.

Consists of a solid mass of cells without any hollow cavities or pores for water flow.

The asconoid form is characterized by its simple anatomical design of a hollow cylinder attached by its base to the substratum, with specific layers of cells and an internal atrium for water flow. The incorrect answers provided do not accurately describe the unique features of the asconoid form.

Explanation

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3. What is the Syconoid form?

Allows sponges to reproduce asexually through fragmentation.

Refers to sponges without any specific form or organization of their body structure.

Increases surface area and reduces atrial volume by forming alternating inpockets and outpockets of the body wall. They outpockets... Increases surface area and reduces atrial volume by forming alternating inpockets and outpockets of the body wall. They outpockets of the choanoderm are called choanogyte chambers. The inpockets of the pinacoderm are incurrent canals, these two are connect with numerous small opening called prosopyles (front gates). aquiferous system: Ostia-incurrent canals-prosopyles-choanocyte chambers-atrium-osculum. Generally larger then asconoid sponges.

Found exclusively in marine sponges belonging to the class Calcarea.

The correct answer describes the structure and functionality of the Syconoid form in sponges, focusing on its unique features and mechanisms. The three incorrect answers provide alternative descriptions or characteristics of sponges that do not align with the specific features of the Syconoid form.

Explanation

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4. What is the Leuconoid form characterized by?

External openings called ostia leading directly to excurrent canals.

Highly concentrated choanocyte chambers at the body surface.

Simple structure with only one osculum for water exit.

Largest body sizesAquiferous system is a complex network of water vessels that permeate a solid, spongy body. It consists... Largest body sizesAquiferous system is a complex network of water vessels that permeate a solid, spongy body. It consists of spherical choanocyte chambers that lie at the intersection of incurrent and excurrent canals. Small diameter excurrent canals and often multiple oscula replace the relatively voluminous atrium and single osculum of asconoid and syconoid spongesWater enters via surface ostia--incurrent canals--prosopyles into choanocyte chambers--exits choanocyte chambers through apopyle (back gate)--excurrent canals which get progressively larger in diameter as they join with other excurrent canals--exit sponge through one or more oscula. They achieve large body size because water pumping is decentralized.

The Leuconoid form of sponges is characterized by having the largest body sizes among sponge types, along with a complex aquiferous system that permeates a solid, spongy body.

Explanation

The Leuconoid form of sponges is characterized by having the largest body sizes among sponge types, along with a complex aquiferous system that permeates a solid, spongy body.

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5. What cell types are found in a sponge with a body cell wall known as asconoid sponge?

Syncytium sponge

Asconoid sponge

Leuconoid sponge

Gemmule sponge

Sponges are categorized into different types based on their cell structure and body organization. The correct answer, asconoid sponge, specifically refers to a sponge with a simple body structure and cell types arranged in a single layer around a central cavity. Syncytium sponge, gemmule sponge, and leuconoid sponge are other types of sponges with different cell arrangements and body structures.

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6. How do sponges reproduce asexually?

Need

Pollination

Spawning

Sponges reproduce asexually through a process called budding, where small outgrowths form on the parent sponge and eventually detach to become new individuals.

Explanation

Sponges reproduce asexually through a process called budding, where small outgrowths form on the parent sponge and eventually detach to become new individuals.

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7. What is a characteristic of Subphylum Cellularia (Class Calcarea) Leucosolenia?

Common Asconoid; Free?living larvae are partly flagellatedamphiblastulae; choanocyte nuclei apical; flagellum arises diect ly fromnucleus.

Asexual reproduction by budding; spongocoel lined with choanocytes; leuconoid structure

Enclosed radial type of canal system; choanocyte flagella arise from the basal body of the cell; asconoid structure

Collencytes forming primary skeleton; canal system without excurrent canals; sympatric hermaphroditic

The correct answer describes the characteristics of Subphylum Cellularia (Class Calcarea) Leucosolenia, which includes free-living larvae, flagellation, the positioning of choanocyte nuclei, and flagellum origin. The three incorrect answers describe various characteristics of other sponge classes, highlighting the need to accurately identify the specific traits of Leucosolenia.

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8. What types of spicules are found in Subphylum Cellularia(Class Calcarea) Leucosolenia?

Bipolar and irregular spicules

Pentaradiate and hexaradiate spicules

Triradiate, quadri radiate and large and smallmonaxons

Microscleres and megascleres

Leucosolenia spicules consist of triradiate, quadri radiate, large monaxons, and small monaxons.

Explanation

Leucosolenia spicules consist of triradiate, quadri radiate, large monaxons, and small monaxons.

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9. Subphylum Cellularia (Class Calcarea)Scypha (Grantia).

Common syconoid

Ordinary choanoid

Rare leuconoid

Uncommon asconoid

The correct answer refers to the common syconoid structure found in Scypha, which is a typical form of sponges classified under the class Calcarea.

Explanation

The correct answer refers to the common syconoid structure found in Scypha, which is a typical form of sponges classified under the class Calcarea.

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10. What is the appropriate method for examining Scypha (Grantia) under a microscope?

Cross section

Sagittal section

Horizontal section

Longitudinal section

When examining Scypha (Grantia) under a microscope, a cross section is the most suitable method as it allows for a comprehensive view of the internal structures of the organism.

Explanation

When examining Scypha (Grantia) under a microscope, a cross section is the most suitable method as it allows for a comprehensive view of the internal structures of the organism.

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11. What is a defining characteristic of Class Calcarea?

Spicules composed of silica

Habitats found in freshwater environments

Body with radial symmetry

Spicules of mineral skeleton composed entirely of calciumcarbonate laid down as calcite; skeletal elements often not differentiated intomegascleres and microscleres;... Spicules of mineral skeleton composed entirely of calciumcarbonate laid down as calcite; skeletal elements often not differentiated intomegascleres and microscleres; body with asconoid, synconoid, or leuconoidconstruction; all marine.

Class Calcarea is characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate, not silica; various body constructions, not just radial symmetry; and they are marine, not found in freshwater environments.

Explanation

Class Calcarea is characterized by spicules made of calcium carbonate, not silica; various body constructions, not just radial symmetry; and they are marine, not found in freshwater environments.

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12. What defines the subclass Calcinia(Class Calcarea)?

Sessile adults have motile cells in their body structure

Free?living larvae are hollow and flagellated,and can become solid parenchymula?like structures by cellular ingression;choanocyte nuclei located basally; flagellum arises independent... Free?living larvae are hollow and flagellated,and can become solid parenchymula?like structures by cellular ingression;choanocyte nuclei located basally; flagellum arises independent of nucleus.

Reproduction in Calcinia involves the release of spores into the water column

The subclass Calcinia is known for having thick calcareous exoskeletons

The correct answer describes the key characteristics of the subclass Calcinia, including the development of larvae, the location of choanocyte nuclei, and the origin of flagella. The incorrect answers provide false information about the subclass to test the knowledge of the examinee.

Explanation

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13. What is a characteristic of Calcaronia subclass within Class Calcarea?

Larvae are sessile and do not possess flagella.

Flagellum arises from a separate organelle instead of directly from the nucleus.

Free?living larvae are partly flagellatedamphiblastulae; choanocyte nuclei apical; flagellum arises diect ly fromnucleus

Choanocyte nuclei are basal instead of apical.

Calcaronia subclass within Class Calcarea is characterized by free-living larvae that are partly flagellated amphiblastulae. The nuclei of choanocytes are located apically, and the flagellum arises directly from the nucleus. The incorrect answers provided do not align with the defining characteristics of this subclass.

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14. Which characteristics describe Class Demospongiae?

With proteinaceous spicules; spicule skeleton is always supplemented by an inorganic silica network; predominantly found in brackish water environments.

With calcareous spicules; spicule skeleton may be supplemented or replaced by an inorganic calcium carbonate network; marine sponges found only... With calcareous spicules; spicule skeleton may be supplemented or replaced by an inorganic calcium carbonate network; marine sponges found only in shallow waters.

With siliceous spicules; spicule skeleton may besupplemented or re placed by an organic collagenous network("spongin"); marine, brackish, or freshwater sponges,... With siliceous spicules; spicule skeleton may besupplemented or re placed by an organic collagenous network("spongin"); marine, brackish, or freshwater sponges, occurring atall depths

With chitinous spicules; spicule skeleton may be supplemented or replaced by an organic keratin network; found in freshwater habitats at... With chitinous spicules; spicule skeleton may be supplemented or replaced by an organic keratin network; found in freshwater habitats at moderate depths.

Class Demospongiae is characterized by the presence of siliceous spicules in their body structure, with the potential for a collagenous network called 'spongin' to support or replace the spicule skeleton. These sponges can be found in marine, brackish, or freshwater environments, ranging from shallow to deep depths.

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15. What subphylum does the Symplasma belong to?

Echinodermata

Arthropoda

Chordata

Symplasma is a subphylum within the phylum Tunicata, which includes sea squirts, salps, and doliolids. Tunicates are marine filter-feeders with a unique body structure.

Explanation

Symplasma is a subphylum within the phylum Tunicata, which includes sea squirts, salps, and doliolids. Tunicates are marine filter-feeders with a unique body structure.

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16. What are porocysts?

A term used in geology to describe the process of rock formation.

A structure in plant cells that is responsible for photosynthesis.

Doughnut-shaped cells which enclose a channelopening is the prospyle

A type of fossilized organism found in sedimentary rocks.

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17. What are pinacocytes?

Specialized cells that conduct nerve impulses in sponges.

Flattened cells of the epidermis, the sponge's outer layer of cells

Cells that secrete calcium carbonate to form the skeleton of sponges.

Cells responsible for the production of eggs and sperm in sponges.

Pinacocytes are indeed flattened cells found in the epidermis of sponges. They play a crucial role in forming the outer layer of cells in sponges.

Explanation

Pinacocytes are indeed flattened cells found in the epidermis of sponges. They play a crucial role in forming the outer layer of cells in sponges.

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18. What are angulate rod-shaped microscleres provided with spines that may be aligned in a spiral course around the rod known as?

Cylindrical coelocytes

Spiky spirules

Starburst spicules

Angulate rod?shaped microscleres provided withspines which may be aligned in a spiral course around the rodCliona vastifica(Subclass Tetractinomorpha;Class Demospongiae)

Spiraxster refers to angulate rod-shaped microscleres with spines aligned in a spiral course, not spiky spirules, cylindrical coelocytes, or starburst spicules.

Explanation

Spiraxster refers to angulate rod-shaped microscleres with spines aligned in a spiral course, not spiky spirules, cylindrical coelocytes, or starburst spicules.

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