
They do this by swishing their flagella which pulls water through the incurrent pore – water then travels out the osculum at the top of the sponge.Īs larvae, sponges are able to swim, but as adults, they are sessile, spending their life attached to a substrate.

The inner layer consists of collar cells (A) whose function is to circulate water through the sponge. What helps water circulate through a sponge? Collar cells have whiplike structures that beat back and forth to move water through the sponge. Water leaves the sponge through the osculum, a large opening. Water enters the small pores throughout the sponge’s body. Water is pumped directly through pores, called ostia, into the spongocoel and then out of the sponge through an opening called the osculum (plural oscula). The most basic body plan is called asconoid. Water flows through the ostia/ostium into the spongocoel. How does water flow through a basic sponge body type? 4 How does a sponge move water through its body?.3 Where water exits the body of a sponge?.2 How does water enter and exit a sponge?.1 How does water flow through a basic sponge body type?.
