Fresh water sponge: Spongilla

Sponges are aquatic animals that live in both marine and freshwater environments. They are filter feeders that rely on water currents to bring food and oxygen to their cells. Freshwater sponges are found in ponds, lakes, and streams, and they play an important role in maintaining water quality by filtering out organic and inorganic particles.

Spongilla is a genus of freshwater sponges that are found in temperate and tropical regions around the world. They are characterized by their greenish-yellow color and their cushion-like appearance. Spongilla colonies are composed of many individual sponges that are connected by a network of tubes, called canals.

Morphology of Spongilla:

- Spongilla is a greenish-yellow sponge that has a cushion-like appearance.
- It has many individual sponges that are connected by a network of tubes called canals.
- It has a porous body with many small openings called ostia that allow water to flow into the sponge.
- The water is then filtered by the sponge's collar cells, which trap food particles and remove oxygen.

Reproduction in Spongilla:

- Spongilla reproduces both sexually and asexually.
- Asexual reproduction occurs by the formation of buds or gemmules.
- Sexual reproduction occurs by the fusion of sperm and eggs.

Ecological importance of Spongilla:

- Freshwater sponges play an important role in maintaining water quality by filtering out organic and inorganic particles.
- They are also an important food source for many aquatic animals, including insects, fish, and crustaceans.
- Sponges are also used in the pharmaceutical industry to develop new drugs.

Out of given 4 options only d) Sponge i. e. spongilla is a fresh water Sponge......