Biology/sponges and plants
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Question
why were sponges once classified as plants?
Hi Sahian: Thanks for your question.
I suspect that sponges were once classified as plants on two bases:
1. They seem to "grow" in a fixed place, like plants.
2. The sometimes have algae as endosymbionts, which gives them a photosynthetic appearance.
Sponges are actually primitive animals that secrete a matrix (what we call the "sponge" in which they live.
More on sponges can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge
Hope this helps.
FM Rollwagen, PhD
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Answers by Expert:
Florence M Rollwagen
Expertise
I can answer questions in biology, microbiology and immunology on the undergraduate or graduate level. I can also address medical and health concerns regarding alternative medicine, autoimmune diseases (lupus, MS) liver disease and intestinal problems.
Experience
I have over 20 years experience in research and teaching at the medical/graduate level, and 5 years teaching college biology and microbiology. My expertise is in microbiology and immunology, specifically the biology of cytokines and soluble immune response modifiers. I also carried out original research in blood substitutes and shock/trauma.
Organizations
American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publications
Journal of Experimental Medicine, Journal of Immunology, Cytokine, Shock, Experimental Hematology
Education/Credentials
BS biology 1966
MS biology 1968
PhD immunology 1979
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