Silica+Sponge

===**Silica Sponge** ===

1.__Classification/ Diagnostic characteristics__  Silica Sponges are from the kingdom Animalia and the phylum Porifera. They consist of the classes Demospongia and Hexactinellida. They are known as glass sponges because of their glass like appearance which is due to their skeleton's composition. It is made of siliceous elements, consisting of hydrated silicon dioxide. The sponge is an aggregation of cells which is built around water canal systems. It also contain many small pores that allow food in.



2.__Relationship to humans__
==== Both humans and silica sponges are from the kingdom Animalia. In 2010, Australian scientists have found proof of close genetic links between sea sponges and higher living organisms including nearly 70 percent coincidence with human genes, some of which are responsible for disease and cancer. "According to Degnan and his collaborators, the evolution of these genes not only allowed the first animals to develop in the oceans but allowed the evolution of the full biodiversity of animals living today." Recently scientists have imitated the structural elements found in most sea sponges and recreated the sponge spicules using the natural mineral calcium carbonate and a protein of the sponge. The result is a new synthetic hybrid material with a mineral content of almost 90%, yet extremely flexible. Also Silica sponges have a high aesthetic value and can be placed in aquariums for beautification and is frequently used as a traditional wedding gift in certain regions of Japan. ==== media type="custom" key="24591418"

3.__Habitat and niche__
==== 99% of all sponges are marine, but a few have adaptations for survival in freshwater. They are attached to underwater rocks and other surfaces. Sponges can live in shallow sub tidal environment or in deep slow flowing water. They are very versatile, and some species can be found at depths up to 8 kilometers below the ocean surface. Sponges are commonly found among coral reefs and thrive in warmer waters. They are more successful in clearer waters because murky waters caused by currents tend to clog their pores, blocking the exchange of materials with the environment. ====

4.__Predator avoidance__  Silica sponges are stationary and made of silica, a material which is very hard, prickly, and even quite difficult to bite on by predators. They also use chemicals for defense. Some species of starfish are major predators. Toxins such as ageliferin protect against other sessile species, which are species like the sponge that cannot move with ease.

5.__Nutrient acquisition__  The Silica Sponge acquire nutrients that are carried by water currents. The nutrient rich water enter the sponge through small pores into the atrium where it absorbed by the choanocytes, or the outside collar of sieve cells. The choanocytes have a flagellum which transfer the nutrients to digestive vacuoles.. Sponges prey on bacteria in the water surrounding them through these filtration methods, and some may trap 90% of bacteria out of the water they filter. Although most sponges are filter feeders, some may be carnivorous and trap crustaceans instead. An example is the Hexactinellida species Euplectella, or commonly known as the "Venus Flower Basket", traps small shrimp inside its complex lattice pattern network.

6.__Reproduction and life cycle__  The sponges can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Each individual produce both sperm and eggs, but they don’t self fertilize. Water current carry sperm from one individual to another. Asexual is by budding and regeneration.  <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">7.__Growth and development__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Most of existing sponge species use dissolved silicon to build the spicules which are their siliceous skeleton. The variation in the rate of growth is based on the length of the spicule, temperature and acidity levels. The longer the spicule the slower is the growing rate. Warmer temperature enhance <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">growth while high acidic concentration decrease it.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">8.__Integument__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The silica sponge is made from hard skeletal elements called spicules, which is made from hydrated silicon dioxide. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">There are three main layers of cells on sponges. They are an outer layer of epithelial cells, a non-living gelatinous layer, and an inner layer of collar cells. The epithelial cells on the outside, known as Pinacocytes, are flat cells that layer the surfaces of sponges. The middle layer contains Amoebocytes that facilitate reproduction, secretion of skeletal structures, and channel food from the outside to the inner-most layer, the Choanocytes. Choanocytes are responsible for the circulation of food and waste within sponges.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">9.__Movement__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The silica sponge is sessile, meaning its immobile with the exception of early stages of development when it is an flagellated embryo. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The sponge have to be attached to "foothold" fixed substrate mostly coral or rock.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">10.__Sensing the environment__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Sponges do not have either a nervous system or organs, meaning they do not have eyes, ears, or the ability to touch. They do however have specialized cells within the body in order to carry out different functions. Since sponges live in areas often characterized by high spatial competition where the space is extremely scarce, sponges have to compete with their neighbors for the limited space and they have prevent being overgrown by them. One way in which the sponge interact with the environment is through symbiotic living with numerous microorganisms that thrive in their tissues and that are often beneficial for both sides.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">11.__Gas exchange__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> The silica sponge, like other sponges, relies on water flow for respiration. The sponge cells absorb oxygen through diffusion with the surrounding water and dispose of carbon dioxide in much of the same manner.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">12.__Waste removal__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> Waste removal is handled very similarly to the gas exchange system, relying on the surrounding water flow. Soluble wastes like ammonia are simply diffused out of the cells, while non soluble wastes such as minerals are taken out by the Archeocytes.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">13.__Environmental physiology__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> The silica sponge live mainly in marine environment.They usually live on substrates at depths of 20ft along saltwater coastlines and coral reefs.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">14.__Internal circulation__ <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Silica sponges do not have tissues or organs, therefore, they lack any complex internal circulation system. Sponges intake water through their pores, providing them with food and oxygen by simple transport across the membrane. Flagellated cells on the surface of the body work as a team to create a current and direct water into these pores.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">15. __Chemical contro__l <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Unlike the cells of most other animals, the cells of sponges do not form into various organs like kidney, liver, or nerves. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Sponges are covered with tiny pores on the outside called ostia. They lead to an internal system of canals which leads to one or more larger holes called oscula, which are the openings to the outside. The chambers within the canals are lined up with cells called choanocytes, or collar cells. The collar cells consist a sticky funnel shaped collar and a hair-like whip called a flagellum which help to move the water through the sponge. The water brings in nutrients and oxygen and takes out the carbon dioxide.

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David Elvin Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, Vol. 90, No. 2 (Apr., 1971), pp. 219-224 http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/porifera/poriferalh.html http://www.asnailsodyssey.com/LEARNABOUT/SPONGE/sponFeed.php http://faculty.fmcc.suny.edu/mcdarby/animals&plantsbook/animals/02-Sponges&Cnidaria.htm http://www.oceanicresearch.org/education/wonders/sponges.html http://tolweb.org/treehouses/?treehouse_id=3431 [] [] [] [] <span style="color: #003399; font-family: 'Open Sans',arial,helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: none;">[|http://digitaljournal.com/article/295662#ixzz2l3WkIOKR] [] http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/invert.html http://animals.pawnation.com/sponges-sensory-organs-6530.html [] []

<span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: -40px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 25px; width: 1px;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Classification/ Diagnostic characteristics <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">silica Sponges are from the kingdom Animalia and the phylum Porifera. they have skeletons composed of spicules made of hydrated silicon dioxide. Their structure is composed of aggregation of cells which is built around water canal systems. It also contain many small pores that allow food in.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2. Relationship to humans <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Both humans and silica sponge are from the kingdom animalia. silica sponges can be placed in aquariums

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.Habitat and niche <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Most of the sponges are marine, few live in freshwater. They can live in shallow subtidal environment or in slow flowing water

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4.Predator avoidance <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">Silica sponges are stationary and made of silica, a glass like structure. If any animals eat them they can’t avoid them.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5. nutrient acquisition The sponge acquire nutrients that are carried by water currents. The nutrient rich water enter the sponge through small pores into the atrium where it absorbed by the choanocytes. The choanocytes have a flagellum.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6. Reproduction and life cycle The sponges can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Each individual produce both sperm and eggs, but they don’t self fertilize. Water current carry sperm from one individual to another. Asexual is by budding and regeneration.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7. Growth and development

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8.Integument <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;"> the silica sponge is made from hard skeletal elements called spicules, which is made from hydrated silicon dioxide.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9.Movement The silica sponge doesn’t move

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">10. Sensing the environment unknown

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">11.Gas exchange The silica sponge probably just diffuse gasses with the surrounding water.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12.Waste removal The silica sponge probably just diffuse waste with the surrounding water.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">13.Environmental physiology The silica sponge live mainly in marine environment with a water current that move nutrients

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14.Internal circulation

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15. chemical control