Mesh term Porifera
Browse to parent terms:Invertebrates
Description
The phylum of sponges which are sessile, suspension-feeding, multicellular animals that utilize flagellated cells called choanocytes to circulate water. Most are hermaphroditic. They are probably an early evolutionary side branch that gave rise to no other group of animals. Except for about 150 freshwater species, sponges are marine animals. They are a source of ALKALOIDS; STEROLS; and other complex molecules useful in medicine and biological research.Browse to child terms:
Agelas
Axinella
Callyspongia
Crambe Sponge
Dysidea
Geodia
Haliclona
Petrosia
Plakortis
Suberites
Theonella
Xestospongia
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