Porifera is the scientific name for sponges. They are marine animals and belong to the phylum Porifera. They get their Latin name due to the numerous pores found on their body. Most of these species live in salt water while some of them live in fresh water habitats. They are one of the simplest of multicellular animals as they are assembled from cells and not from tissues as found in other animals. Sponges or poriferans as they are known are primitive and sessile by nature.
Sponges are not able to move about and are permanently attached to rocks or hull of ships. They possess the quality of being able to propel water through their bodies to sieve out particles of food matter. They do not possess muscles, nerves or internal organs due to their lack of parazoa or tissues. There are more than 5000 species as yet that are known to mankind and their existence dates back to Neoproterozoic Era though new species are being discovered even in this time and age.
Sponges are not able to move about and are permanently attached to rocks or hull of ships. They possess the quality of being able to propel water through their bodies to sieve out particles of food matter. They do not possess muscles, nerves or internal organs due to their lack of parazoa or tissues. There are more than 5000 species as yet that are known to mankind and their existence dates back to Neoproterozoic Era though new species are being discovered even in this time and age.
