Sponge. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an unidentified sponge, phylum Porifera. The branching structure of the sponge's body is suppor

---

Sponge. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an unidentified sponge, phylum Porifera. The branching structure of the sponge's body is supported by an internal skeleton of calcareous or siliceous spicules (spines) and fibres of the protein spongin. Sponges are sessile multicellular animals which are primitively differentiated; the body wall consisting of just two layers. Water canals link pores on the surface with a communal exhalent tube. All sponges are current or filter feeders. The water current created by flagellated cells carries particles and tiny organisms into the sponge's body. Magnification: x120 at 6x7cm size. x296 at 8x6ins,x158 at 10x7cm master size

---

Size: 3543px × 2868px
Photo credit: © POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1874, animal, challenger, expedition, invertebrate, invertebrates, nature, porifera, poriferan, spicule, spicules, sponge, spongin, wildlife, zoology