EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Spicules are structural elements found in most sponges. The meshing of many spicules serves as the sponge’s skeleton and thus it provides structural support and potentially defense against predators.

Detailed explanation-2: -Spicules are the structural components of a sponge, or the “bricks, ” and the shapes, sizes, and composition are unique for each species. Together, you can look at these features under a microscope to make a positive identification. Spicules are composed of either Calcium or Silica.

Detailed explanation-3: -An internal skeleton is called an endoskeleton. A sponge endoskeleton consists of short, sharp rods called spicules (see Figure below). Spicules are made of silica, calcium carbonate, or spongin, a tough protein. They grow from specialized cells in the body of the sponge.

Detailed explanation-4: -Skeleton of sponges is made of spicules or spongin fibres. Spicules are formed of calcium carbonate and silica.

Detailed explanation-5: -Each spicule is formed by specialized cells (sclerocytes) that supply mineral ions or particles associated by organic macromolecules to extracellular cavities, where assembly and crystallization in alignment with an initial seed crystal (nucleus) takes place.