EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Sponges can reproduce either asexually or sexually. Asexually reproduction (without eggs and sperm) often occurs by budding, similar to growing a new branch on a tree. Cells on the side or base of the parent begin to bulge out and form a new organism.

Detailed explanation-2: -By means of external budding or gemmules, asexual reproduction in sponges takes place.

Detailed explanation-3: -Budding is a second method of asexual reproduction in sponges. Porifera members can grow an external bud which eventually breaks off and grows into a clone of the original. Finally, when conditions are not favorable for other methods, sponges can reproduce asexually through gemmules.

Detailed explanation-4: -The typical means of asexual reproduction is either fragmentation (where a piece of the sponge breaks off, settles on a new substrate, and develops into a new individual) or budding (a genetically-identical outgrowth from the parent eventually detaches or remains attached to form a colony).