Demospongiae
Demospongiae
Demospongiae (pronounced: deh-moh-spon-jee-ay) is the largest class within the phylum Porifera. The term "Demospongiae" originates from the Greek words "demos" meaning "people" and "spongia" meaning "sponge".
Definition
Demospongiae are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them. They are predominantly marine species, but there are also some freshwater species. They are characterized by their leuconoid type of construction.
Anatomy
The body of a Demospongiae is composed of a thin, soft layer of cells, called the pinacoderm, which covers a hard skeleton made of spongin, a type of collagen, and often silica spicules. The interior of the sponge is lined with choanocytes, cells with whip-like flagella that create currents of water to flow through the sponge.
Classification
Demospongiae is divided into several orders, including Haplosclerida, Poecilosclerida, Spongillida, and Verongiida. Each order is further divided into families, genera, and species.
Related Terms
- Porifera: The phylum to which Demospongiae belongs.
- Spongin: A type of collagen that forms the skeleton of many sponges.
- Spicules: Small, spike-like structures that provide structural support to the sponge.
- Choanocytes: Cells that line the interior of the sponge and create water currents.
- Haplosclerida: An order of Demospongiae.
- Poecilosclerida: An order of Demospongiae.
- Spongillida: An order of Demospongiae.
- Verongiida: An order of Demospongiae.
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