Sponge Lab
Pre-Lab:
1. Background Information: (complete this information by using your book to fill in the blanks – pp.705-709)
Sponges are the simplest ___________________________, meaning they do not have a backbone. Sponges
make up the phylum _________________, which means “pore bearing”. The phylum is named for the many pores that
cover the body of a sponge. These pores are also known as ostia, and this is where water flows into the sponge. There is
one large opening at the top called _________________, which is where water flows out of the sponge.
Sponges have no true tissues or organs, no digestive track, and no nervous system. Their bodies are loosely
organized into ________________layers. Support comes from hard structures called ___________________or from
flexible material called _____________________. The spicules encircle the large opening and project through the outer
surface of the sponge. Some sponges have both spicules and spongin.
WORD BANK:
Invertebrates
Osculum
2. Root Words:
a. “in” - __________________
Porifera
Spicules
Spongin
Two cell
b. “_______” - to carry (or to bear)
3. Diagram: use index to find diagram of sponge -you only have to draw the whole sponge, not the pop out picture
– label the osculum, ostia, and the direction of water flow:
4. Short Answer:
a. Explain how a sponge gets oxygen and food. What is the name of this process of feeding called?
b. What is the function of spicules of a sponge?
c. What body structures make the sponge well adapted for living in water?
d. Why do you think chlorine bleach is needed to be able to see the spicules?
e. Name two body structures that make the sponge well adapted for living in water.
f.
Because sponges are only two cells thick, they are able to regenerate. What does this mean?
g. How did the discovery and production of artificial sponges change the population of natural sponges?
Lab Analysis:
1. Diagrams:
Large Sponge:
Whole Grantia (sponge):
Label the Osculum
Describe the texture:
________________________
________________________
Grantia spicules:
Magnification: __________
2. Short Answer:
a. How does the construction of the sponge relate to its functioning? (should be at least 3 sentences)
b. How does the texture in the “large grantia” drawing compare to your previous knowledge about
sponges?
c. How does the texture change on a microscopic level (whole grantia) , and how does this compare to
your previous knowledge about sponges?
d. What is the relationship between the number of spicules and their function? (refer to “grantia spicules”
slide)
e. Why do you think a Grantia sponge should not be used to wash cars or porcelain sinks.