Do you Know Sea sponges are the skeleton of a once living sea creature?

  
Sea Sponges
Sea SpongesGenerally people know that natural sponges are used
Generally people know that natural sponges are usedfor exfoliating and massaging your skin. They are soft,
for exfoliating and massaging your skin. They are soft,highly absorbent, and create luxurious lather. But how
highly absorbent, and create luxurious lather. But howmany people know that these sponges are the
many people know that these sponges are theskeleton of a once living sea creature?
skeleton of a once living sea creature?Sea sponges are colorful, simple-celled, bottom-dwelling
Sea sponges are colorful, simple-celled, bottom-dwellinganimals found in all the oceans of the world. Scientific
animals found in all the oceans of the world. Scientificname for sea sponges is "Porifera" meaning
name for sea sponges is "Porifera" meaningpore-bearing referring to the many pores or holes
pore-bearing referring to the many pores or holesvisible on all sponges. Scientific research has proved
visible on all sponges. Scientific research has provedthat sea sponges, even though they look like plants,
that sea sponges, even though they look like plants,are actually simple multi-cellular animals without any
are actually simple multi-cellular animals without anymuscles, nerves, or sensory organs. They are food
muscles, nerves, or sensory organs. They are foodsources for creatures such as sea turtles and are
sources for creatures such as sea turtles and areused for cosmetic purposes by humans.
used for cosmetic purposes by humans. 
Types of Sea Sponges 
Sea sponges come in many different shapes, sizesTypes of Sea Sponges
and color. Some look like thin tree branches, some likeSea sponges come in many different shapes, sizes
vases and some even resemble common flowers.and color. Some look like thin tree branches, some like
Typically, they are small but some can grow as widevases and some even resemble common flowers.
as 6 feet. Encrusting sea sponges are like moss; theyTypically, they are small but some can grow as wide
will cover the surface to which they are attached.as 6 feet. Encrusting sea sponges are like moss; they
Freestanding sponges have odd shapes and havewill cover the surface to which they are attached.
more volume. Some of the kinds are: tube sponge,Freestanding sponges have odd shapes and have
vase sponge, yellow sponge, red tree sponge, barrelmore volume. Some of the kinds are: tube sponge,
sponge, etc.vase sponge, yellow sponge, red tree sponge, barrel
 sponge, etc.
  
Sea Sponges Habitat 
Thousands of species of sea sponges could be foundSea Sponges Habitat
in all oceans. Different classes of sponges live inThousands of species of sea sponges could be found
different habitats. Most of them live in salt water.in all oceans. Different classes of sponges live in
Sponges live on the sand at the bottom of the sea, ordifferent habitats. Most of them live in salt water.
they attach themselves to rocks. They can manage toSponges live on the sand at the bottom of the sea, or
survive from tidal shores all the way down to depthsthey attach themselves to rocks. They can manage to
of 9000 meters. They can be found everywhere, fromsurvive from tidal shores all the way down to depths
the polar region to the tropics. They generally live inof 9000 meters. They can be found everywhere, from
quiet and clear waters because sediments stirred bythe polar region to the tropics. They generally live in
waves or tides could block the pores of the spongequiet and clear waters because sediments stirred by
making it difficult for them to breathe and eat.waves or tides could block the pores of the sponge
 making it difficult for them to breathe and eat.
  
Sea Sponges Food 
Sea sponges attach itself to something solid and try toSea Sponges Food
gather as much food as possible from the surroundingSea sponges attach itself to something solid and try to
waters. They are filter feeders and would capture andgather as much food as possible from the surrounding
ingest the food particles carried by the water.waters. They are filter feeders and would capture and
Sponges capture bacteria, plankton and other organicingest the food particles carried by the water.
particles that float in the water. Their collar cells (stickySponges capture bacteria, plankton and other organic
cells that exist within the inner "canals" of the sponge)particles that float in the water. Their collar cells (sticky
capture the food particles and the transporter cellscells that exist within the inner "canals" of the sponge)
called amebocytes carry the food to other cells insidecapture the food particles and the transporter cells
the body of the sponges.called amebocytes carry the food to other cells inside
 the body of the sponges.
  
Sea Sponges Reproduction 
Sponges reproduce by budding. They grow a newSea Sponges Reproduction
sponge on them, and once its big enough it falls off.Sponges reproduce by budding. They grow a new
This is an asexual form of reproduction. They cansponge on them, and once its big enough it falls off.
regenerate from the tiniest fragment of the originalThis is an asexual form of reproduction. They can
sponge. Most sponges are hermaphrodites. They canregenerate from the tiniest fragment of the original
display both male and female characteristics assponge. Most sponges are hermaphrodites. They can
required. New-born sponges look like planktons. Afterdisplay both male and female characteristics as
free-floating for a few days, they attach themselvesrequired. New-born sponges look like planktons. After
to something hard and then grow. They have a lifefree-floating for a few days, they attach themselves
span of few months to many years.to something hard and then grow. They have a life
Sea sponges are renewable. Thus, supply of seaspan of few months to many years.
sponges would always be ample, atleast till the oceansSea sponges are renewable. Thus, supply of sea
are not too polluted for them.sponges would always be ample, atleast till the oceans
 are not too polluted for them.