11. what is a gemmule?
12. what is a hermaphrodite?
13. what is the jellylike layer called between the gastrodermis and epidermis?
14. what cells move around in the mesohyl delivering food and oxygen to other cells?
15. what part of a collar cell helps pull in water?
16. what is another name for collar cells?
17. what level(s) of organization is missing in sponges?
18. name two methods of asexual reproduction in sponges.
19. since sponges are hermaphrodites, do they fertilize their own eggs?
20. when do sponges release gemmules?

Question

Accepted Answer

### Question 11: What is a gemmule?
# Brief Explanations:
A gemmule is a resistant structure formed by sponges (usually freshwater sponges) during unfavorable conditions. It consists of a cluster of amebocytes (archaeocytes) surrounded by a tough, spicule - reinforced coat. Gemmules can survive harsh environmental conditions like drought, extreme temperatures, or lack of food. When conditions become favorable again, the cells within the gemmule can develop into a new sponge.
# Answer:
A gemmule is a resistant, spore - like structure produced by some sponges (especially freshwater sponges) that contains a cluster of cells (amebocytes) surrounded by a tough coat, allowing the sponge to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and develop into a new sponge when conditions improve.

### Question 12: What is a hermaphrodite?
# Brief Explanations:
A hermaphrodite is an organism that has both male and female reproductive organs (or the ability to produce both male and female gametes). In the context of sponges (and many other organisms), hermaphroditism can be simultaneous (having both reproductive capabilities at the same time) or sequential (changing from one sex to another over time). For example, many sponges are hermaphrodites, meaning an individual sponge can produce both eggs and sperm, although they often do not self - fertilize (to increase genetic diversity).
# Answer:
A hermaphrodite is an organism that possesses both male and female reproductive organs (or the ability to produce both male and female gametes), allowing it to potentially function as both a male and a female in reproduction.

### Question 13: What is the jellylike layer called between the gastrodermis and epidermis?
# Brief Explanations:
In sponges (and also in cnidarians like jellyfish, corals, etc.), the jelly - like layer between the gastrodermis (inner cell layer) and the epidermis (outer cell layer) is called the mesohyl (in sponges) or mesoglea (in cnidarians). In sponges, the mesohyl is a gelatinous matrix that contains amebocytes (archaeocytes), spicules, and collagen fibers. It provides structural support and a medium for the movement of cells within the sponge.
# Answer:
In sponges, the jelly - like layer between the gastrodermis and epidermis is called the mesohyl (in cnidarians, this layer is called mesoglea, but for sponges, it is mesohyl).

### Question 14: What cells move around in the Mesohyl delivering food and oxygen to other cells?
# Brief Explanations:
In the mesohyl of sponges, the cells that move around delivering food and oxygen to other cells are amebocytes (also known as archaeocytes). Amebocytes are totipotent cells (they can differentiate into other types of sponge cells) that can pick up food particles (either from choanocytes or from the environment) and transport them to other cells that need nutrients. They also help in the transport of oxygen and the removal of waste products from other cells.
# Answer:
The cells that move around in the mesohyl of sponges delivering food and oxygen to other cells are amebocytes (archaeocytes).

### Question 15: What part of a collar cell helps pull in water?
# Brief Explanations:
Collar cells (also known as choanocytes) in sponges have a flagellum. The flagellum is a whip - like structure that beats back and forth. This beating motion of the flagellum creates a current that pulls water into the sponge through the pores (ostia). The collar of the choanocyte (a collar - like ring of microvilli) helps to trap food particles from the water, but it is the flagellum that is responsible for generating the water current.
# Answer:
The flagellum of a collar cell (choanocyte) helps pull in water by creating a water current through its beating motion.

### Question 16: What is another name for collar cells?
# Brief Explanations:
Collar cells in sponges are also known as choanocytes. Choanocytes are specialized cells that line the inner chambers of sponges. They have a collar of microvilli surrounding a flagellum, and as mentioned before, they play important roles in generating water currents for feeding and gas exchange.
# Answer:
Another name for collar cells is choanocytes.

### Question 17: What level(s) of organization is missing in sponges?
# Brief Explanations:
Sponges have cellular level of organization and some tissue - like organization (but not true tissues as the cells are not highly specialized and organized into distinct tissues with specific functions). They lack true tissue organization (in the sense of distinct, differentiated tissues with coordinated functions) and organ - system level of organization. For example, they do not have organs or organ systems like a circulatory system, nervous system, or digestive system. Their cells act relatively independently, with some cooperation (like choanocytes for feeding, amebocytes for transport), but there is no complex organization of tissues into organs and organ systems.
# Answer:
Sponges are missing the tissue (true tissue with specialized, coordinated functions) and organ - system levels of organization. They have a cellular level of organization (and some cell - aggregation that is not true tissue) but no distinct organs or organ systems.

### Question 18: Name two methods of asexual reproduction in sponges.
# Brief Explanations:
Two common methods of asexual reproduction in sponges are budding and gemmule formation (and also fragmentation, but we need two).
1. Budding: A small outgrowth (bud) forms on the body of the sponge. This bud contains a group of cells that can develop into a new sponge. The bud eventually detaches from the parent sponge (or in some cases remains attached, forming a colony) and grows into a new individual.
2. Fragmentation: If a sponge breaks into pieces (for example, due to physical damage like being broken by waves or predators), each piece that contains viable cells (especially amebocytes) can grow into a new sponge. The cells in the fragment can reorganize and differentiate to form a new sponge body.
(Note: Gemmule formation is also a method, but budding and fragmentation are more common for "active" asexual reproduction during normal conditions, while gemmule formation is more for survival during harsh conditions.)
# Answer:
Two methods of asexual reproduction in sponges are:
1. Budding: A small outgrowth (bud) on the parent sponge develops into a new sponge, which may detach or remain to form a colony.
2. Fragmentation: A broken - off piece of a sponge (containing viable cells) can grow into a new sponge.

### Question 19: Since sponges are hermaphrodites, do they fertilize their own eggs?
# Brief Explanations:
Although sponges are hermaphrodites (they produce both eggs and sperm), most sponges do not fertilize their own eggs. This is a form of cross - fertilization. Sponges typically release their sperm into the water column. The sperm can then be taken in by other sponges (through their water - intake system) and fertilize the eggs within those sponges. This mechanism helps to increase genetic diversity within the sponge population, as self - fertilization would lead to less genetic variation. Some sponges may have mechanisms to prevent self - fertilization, such as releasing sperm and eggs at different times.
# Answer:
No, most sponges do not fertilize their own eggs. Even though they are hermaphrodites (produce both eggs and sperm), they usually release sperm into the water, which is then taken in by other sponges to fertilize their eggs, promoting genetic diversity.

### Question 20: When do sponges release gemmules?
# Brief Explanations:
Sponges (especially freshwater sponges) release gemmules during unfavorable environmental conditions. These conditions include drought (when the water body dries up), extreme temperatures (either very hot or very cold), lack of food, or pollution. Gemmules are a survival strategy. When the environment becomes too harsh for the sponge to survive in its normal form, it produces gemmules. These gemmules can remain dormant until conditions improve (such as when water returns, temperatures become moderate, or food becomes available), at which point the cells within the gemmule can develop into a new sponge.
# Answer:
Sponges release gemmules during unfavorable environmental conditions such as drought, extreme temperatures, lack of food, or pollution, as a survival mechanism to endure harsh times and regenerate when conditions improve.

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Explanation:

Question 11: What is a gemmule?

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Question 12: What is a hermaphrodite?