Body Wall of Porifera -
The body wall of sponges can be differentiated into the following layers:
- The outermost layer called outer epithelium or pinacoderm. It is made up of cells called pinacocytes. These cells are scale-like and thin with a prominent nucleus.
- The outer epithelium is followed by jelly-like layer called mesohyl or mesenchyme. It serves to provide skeletal support. Various types of cells are present in the mesohyl namely:
- Porocytes: These are tubular cells that form the ostia.
- Amoebocytes: These are totipotent cells that can form other types of cells. They are named so because of their amoeboid movement throughout the mesophyl.
- The innermost layer called the inner epithelium or choanoderm. It is made up of choanocytes or collar cells. These cells trap and digest the food particles coming in through the water current via the ostia.
The outer epithelium is followed by jellylike layer called mesohyl or mesenchyme. It serves to provide skeletal support.
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