Sponge tissue. Light micrograph of a section through the body of the elephant-hide sponge (Pachymatisma johnstonia). This image shows the variety of s

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Sponge tissue. Light micrograph of a section through the body of the elephant-hide sponge (Pachymatisma johnstonia). This image shows the variety of spicules (black), which form a skeleton that supports the sponge's body. The classification of sponges is based on the shape of the spicules and their composition. Water is circulated through holes (white) in the sponge wall by the beating of flagella. The flow of the water is controlled by the direction of the beating of the flagella lining inhalent and exhalent channels. Magnification: x36 when printed at 10 centimetres across.

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Size: 5616px × 3744px
Photo credit: © DR KEITH WHEELER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: anatomical, anatomy, animal, biological, biology, circulation, close-, detail, details, elephant-hide, fauna, histological, histology, hole, holes, invertebrate, invertebrates, johnstonia, light, lm, marine, micrograph, microscope, nature, pachymatisma, porifera, poriferan, section, sectioned, spicule, spicules, sponge, system, wildlife, zoological, zoology