EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Choanocytes or collar cells, line the inner surface of the spongocoel and the canal of sponges. These are flagellated cells. They help in creating a flow channel for water in one direction-that is towards the osculum, using their flagella.

Detailed explanation-2: -Choanocytes are versatile cells. Their flagella beat to create the active pumping of water through the sponge, while the collars of the choanocytes are the primary areas that nutrients are absorbed into the sponge. Furthermore, in some sponges the choanoflagellates develop into gametes.

Detailed explanation-3: -The fundamental component of the suite of cells in a sponge body is the choanocyte. Choanocytes are specialized cells that have a single flagellum surrounded by a net-like collar of microvilli (Figure 3). Choanocytes join together creating the choanoderm, where they perform two major functions.

Detailed explanation-4: -* Choanocytes (also known as “collar cells"), flagellated cells which function as the sponge’s digestive system, are remarkably similar to the protistan choanoflagellates. The collars are composed of microvilli and are used to filter particles out of the water.

Detailed explanation-5: -Location. Choanocytes are found dotting the surface of the spongocoel in asconoid sponges and the radial canals in syconoid sponges, but they comprise entirely the chambers in leuconoid sponges.