THE SPONGES

All we know sponges are aquatic. The vast majority live in the seas, from the seacoast to the seven thousand feet deep. About 150 species are native to fresh water. Once they are adults living sponges stuck on the bottom of the water like a plant but they are animals. In their adult state are larvae that swim without holding anything. Some species remain solitary, and sometimes not.

In total some 5000 known different sponges. All grow like a plant, fastened to a solid object which is often a rock. The sponges are tubular-shaped, lobed, and globular and various forms, some are shaped like cups and other fans or elephant ears. Also there are some that grow flat, like a carpet. The size can range from a few millimeters to over two meters .There is some that grow 1 meter high.

Sponges lack organs. They have no brain or nervous system, etc... These are cells that act with some coordination. Part of the body is hollow or internal pores and channels, for there the water flow, from which the sponges get their food and oxygen, and also dispose of wastes.

Reproduction of sponges may be asexual or sexual. Asexual: it is the fragmentation, where a portion of the sponge is removed and then grows as a new sponge. Other sponges remain hardy spores. Once the "mother" dies due to low temperatures, the spores are released.

BY: CHANEL F ACOSTA AGUILAR.      5-A