Why is hermaphroditism beneficial in sponges?

Why is hermaphroditism beneficial in sponges?

Why is hermaphroditism beneficial in sponges even though they rarely self-fertilize? They all produce eggs so the rate of successful fertilization is greater than it would be if only half of them produced eggs. Larvae; they can swim away from the parent sponge and produce because they have a flagella.

What is the function of a gemmule in a sponge?

reproductive function These so-called “gemmules” are expelled from the adult sponge and, in some marine species, serve as a normal reproductive process or, sometimes, as a means to carry the sponges over periods of unfavourable conditions when the adults degenerate; e.g., drought, temperature extremes.

What helps in asexual reproduction in sponges?

This kind of asexual reproduction is found in Amoeba.

• C. Gemmules are the asexual reproductive bodies which are formed by endogenous budding in all freshwater and some marine sponges.
• D.
• Hence asexual reproduction in sponges takes place with help of gemmule formation.
• So, the correct answer is ‘Gemmule formation’.

How are gemmules formed in sponges?

A freshwater sponge reproduces both by sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction is mainly carried out by budding and also by gemmulation. The internal buds, which are formed by the freshwater sponges are called gemmules….How are Gemmule produced?

What are gemmules give examples?

Gemmules are internal buds found in sponges and are involved in asexual reproduction. e.g. Spongilla . In botany, gemmules refer to the asexual reproductive structures in some plants, such as the buds of mosses and the spores of hydra.

Do sponges reproduce by spore formation?

Sponges are also able to reproduce asexually. Asexual reproduction does not involve the formation of gametes. The offspring are often formed by budding from a single parent organism.

What is the function of Archaeocytes in a sponge?

Archaeocytes. Archaeocytes are very important to the functioning of a sponge. These cells are totipotent, which means that they can change into all of the other types of sponge cells. Archaeocytes ingest and digest food caught by the choanocyte collars and transport nutrients to the other cells of the sponge.

What are some advantages of forming gemmules?

Gemmules are resistant to desiccation (drying out), freezing, and anoxia (lack of oxygen) and can lie around for long periods of time. Gemmules are analogous to a bacterium’s endospore and are made up of amoebocytes surrounded by a layer of spicules and can survive conditions that would kill adult sponges.

What are gemmules mention the importance of gemmule formation?

Asexual reproduction is mainly carried out by budding and also by gemmulation. The internal buds, which are formed by the freshwater sponges are called gemmules. The internal buds, gemmules are resistant to dehydration, freezing and can survive even without an oxygen supply.

Is gemmule formation a kind of spore formation?

Gemmules are analogous to a bacterium’s endospore and are made up of amoebocytes surrounded by a layer of spicules and can survive conditions that would kill adult sponges. When the environment becomes less hostile, the gemmule resumes growing.

What are the reproduction strategies found in sponges?

Sponges are able to reproduce both sexually using gametes and asexually by budding. Even though sponges are hermaphroditic, individuals will only make one type of gamete at a time. There are two forms of asexual reproduction that sponges can go through: external budding and internal budding.

Which type of reproduction is found in sponges?

Sponges reproduce by sexual and asexual methods, which include fragmentation or budding; the production of gemmules is another asexual reproduction method, but is found only in freshwater sponges.

What is a gemmule in a sponge?

Gemmule is a type of internal bud formed in sponges to pass the unfavourable season. It is helpful in asexual reproduction. It is an asexually reproduced mass of cells, that is capable of developing into a new organism i.e., an adult sponge.

How are gemmules formed in freshwater?

Gemmule formation occurs in freshwater by several sponges like Spongilia and some water species such as sea sponges, ficulina ficus, and various other types of poriferans. The organisms give out gemmules, which further give birth to new sponges.

What is gemmule formation?

Now that you are familiar with what are gemmules, let us proceed with what is gemmule formation? Gemmule formation occurs in freshwater by several sponges like Spongilia and some water species such as sea sponges, ficulina ficus, and various other types of poriferans. The organisms give out gemmules, which further give birth to new sponges.

What is the function of the spicule in a gemmule?

Gemmule. The Archaeocytes are reproductive cells and the spicule is the sharp-pointed structure, which is involved in protecting the gemmules from predators and also provide structural support to the gemmules.