Basic Research 

Basic Research on Sponges

Sponges are multicellular organisms made up of two thin layers of cells lined with a jelly-like mesoderm, with numerous pores and channels through their bodies that allow water to circulate.

They have unspecialized cells that can transform into other types and can move between the main cell layers and the mesoderm. They are distinguished from other animals by their lack of a complex nervous, digestive, or circulatory system. Sponges share the characteristics of multicellularity, heterotrophy, lack of cell walls, and sperm cell production, but are unique in that they lack true tissues and organs. Most sponges have an asymmetrical shape, and their body structure is optimized to maximize the flow of water through the central cavity, allowing for the uptake of nutrients and the discharge of waste products.

Zoological Study of Sponges

Sponges are considered to be one of the oldest animals on Earth, with fossil records dating back approximately 800 million years.

Sponges are found in freshwater as well as marine environments, and they survive by adapting to a wide range of habitats, from intertidal zones to deep seas up to 8,800 m in depth. Adult sponges live a fixed life and are attached to underwater surfaces and remain immobile. A deep understanding of these fundamental biological features provides an essential foundation for exploring the diverse applications of sponges. Sponges play an important role in ecosystems, providing habitats to various marine life, contributing to water quality maintenance by filtering water, and are also involved in carbon, nitrogen, and silicon circulations. In addition, some species of sponges also engage in symbiotic relationships with other marine life to obtain the nutrients they need for survival. This ecological importance of sponges suggests that sponges research is more than just biological curiosity, and is an essential element in the conservation and sustainable management of marine ecosystems.

Internal Anatomy of Sponges