Water is moved through the body of the sponge by the choanocytes or archeocystes or pinacoderm

The Fascinating Process of How Sponges Absorb Food: A Step-by-Step Guide 'water is moved through the body of the sponge by the choanocytes or archeocystes or pinacoderm'

Sponges are simple, yet fascinating creatures that have been around for millions of years. Despite their simplicity, they play a crucial role in many marine ecosystems and continue to capture our imagination with their unique biology and behaviors.

One aspect of sponge biology that is particularly intriguing is how these organisms absorb food particles from the water surrounding them. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the process by which sponges move water through their bodies and capture the nutrients they need to survive.

The first step in this process occurs when water containing food particles enters the sponge's body through numerous pores called ostia. These pores create openings in the sponge's outer wall, allowing water to flow into a central cavity known as the spongocoel (Figure 1).

Once inside the spongocoel, the water current carrying food particles is directed towards specialized cells called choanocytes. It is here that the process of absorption takes place.

The morphology of simple sponges often resembles an irregular cylinder with a large central cavity, which allows for maximum exposure to nutrient-rich water currents (Figure 1). Water entering the sponge's body through these pores creates a constant flow of nutrients into the spongocoel. As this water current flows through the canal system of the sponge, it passes by choanocytes that absorb food particles using their unique morphology.

In summary, the movement of water and absorption of food in sponges is a complex process involving specialized cells called choanocytes or archeocystes or pinacoderm. By understanding how these simple creatures move water through their bodies to capture nutrients, we gain insights into the intricate biology that underlies many marine ecosystems.

References:

Water is moved through the body of the sponge by the choanocytes or archeocystes or pinacoderm