Cell Types
With the exception Archaeocytes and choancytes (See Feeding), all cell act sole within the mesohyl (see Cell Structure). For Niphates sp. all cell types mentioned should be present within its body structure
Lophocyte
Cell responsible for secreting collegen fibres as they move through the mesohyl
Pinacocyte
Plattered cells, lacking flagellum , responsible for separating the outside environment from the mesohyl
Oocyte & Spermacytes
Responsible for producing eggs and sperm respectively
Porocytes
Cells forming the ostia of all many sponges, acting as a sphincter valve. Not all ostia located on syconoid sponges have porocytes
Sclerocytes
Cells responsible for secreted minerals, producing spicules
Fig: Simplified layout of important Sponge cell (Rupert et al 2009) |