Sponge spicule: Difference between revisions
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== Interaction with light == |
== Interaction with light == |
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Research on the [[Venus' Flower Basket|''Euplectella aspergillum'' (Venus' Flower Basket)]] demonstrated that the spicules of certain deep-sea sponges have similar traits to [[Optical fibre]]. In addition to being able to trap and transport light, these spicules have a number of advantages over commercial fibre optic wire. They are stronger, resist stress easier, and form their own support elements. Also, the low-temperature formation of the spicules, as compared to the high temperature stretching process of commercial fibre optics, allows for the addition of [[impurity|impurities]] which improve the [[refractive index]]. In addition, these spicules have built-in [[Lens (optics)|lenses]] in the ends which gather and focus light in dark conditions. It has been theorized that this ability may function as a light source for [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] [[algae]] (as with ''Rosella racovitzae'') or as an attractor for [[shrimp]] which live inside the Venus' Flower Basket. However, a conclusive decision has not been reached; it may be that the light capabilities are simply a coincidental trait from a purely structural element. |
Research on the [[Venus' Flower Basket|''Euplectella aspergillum'' (Venus' Flower Basket)]] demonstrated that the spicules of certain deep-sea sponges have similar traits to [[Optical fibre]]. In addition to being able to trap and transport light, these spicules have a number of advantages over commercial fibre optic wire. They are stronger, resist stress easier, and form their own support elements. Also, the low-temperature formation of the spicules, as compared to the high temperature stretching process of commercial fibre optics, allows for the addition of [[impurity|impurities]] which improve the [[refractive index]]. In addition, these spicules have built-in [[Lens (optics)|lenses]] in the ends which gather and focus light in dark conditions. It has been theorized that this ability may function as a light source for [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] [[algae]] (as with ''Rosella racovitzae'') or as an attractor for [[shrimp]] which live inside the Venus' Flower Basket. However, a conclusive decision has not been reached; it may be that the light capabilities are simply a coincidental trait from a purely structural element. |
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<ref>* {{cite journal | last1 = Aizenburg | first1 = Joanna ''et al.'' | year = 2004 | title = Biological glass fibers: Correlation between optical and structural properties | url = | journal = Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. | volume = 101 | issue = 10| pages = 3358–3363 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Imsiecke | first1 = George ''et al.'' | year = 1995 | title = Formation of Spicules by Sclerocytes from the Freshwater Sponge ''Ephydatia Meulleri'' in Short-term Cultures in Vitro | url = | journal = In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol-Animal | volume = 31 | issue = | pages = 528–535 }}</ref>{{Verify source|date=April 2010}} Spicules funnel light deep inside sea sponges.<ref>{{cite journal |
<ref>* {{cite journal | doi = 10.1073/pnas.0307843101 | last1 = Aizenburg | first1 = Joanna ''et al.'' | year = 2004 | title = Biological glass fibers: Correlation between optical and structural properties | url = | journal = Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. | volume = 101 | issue = 10| pages = 3358–3363 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1007/BF02634030 | last1 = Imsiecke | first1 = George ''et al.'' | year = 1995 | title = Formation of Spicules by Sclerocytes from the Freshwater Sponge ''Ephydatia Meulleri'' in Short-term Cultures in Vitro | url = | journal = In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol-Animal | volume = 31 | issue = | pages = 528–535 }}</ref>{{Verify source|date=April 2010}} Spicules funnel light deep inside sea sponges.<ref>{{cite journal |
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| author=Brümmer, F., Pfannkuchen, M., Baltz, A., Hauser, T., and Thiel, V. |
| author=Brümmer, F., Pfannkuchen, M., Baltz, A., Hauser, T., and Thiel, V. |
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| title=Light inside sponges | journal=Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology |
| title=Light inside sponges | journal=Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology |
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Revision as of 18:41, 20 November 2010
Spicules are structural elements found in most sponges. They provide structural support and deter predators. Large spicules, visible to the naked eye are referred to as megascleres, while smaller, microscopic ones are termed microscleres.
Structure
Spicules are found in a range of symmetry types.
Monaxons form simple cylinders with pointed ends. The ends of diactinal monaxons are similar, whereas monactinal monaxons have a different ends - one pointed, one rounded. Diactinal monaxons are classified by the nature of their ends: oxea have pointed ends, and strongyles rounded. Spine-covered oxea and strongyles are termed acanthoxea and acanthostrongyles, respectively.[1]: 2 Monactical monaxons always have one pointed end; they are termed styles if the other end is blunt, tylostyles if their blunt end forms a knob; and acanthostyles if they are covered in spines.
Triaxons have three axes; in triods, each axis bears a similar ray; in pentacts, the triaxon has five rays, four of which lie in a single plane; and pinnules are pentacts with large spines on the non-planar ray.[1]
Tetraxons have four axes, and polyaxons more (description of types to be incorporated from [1]). Sigma-C spicules have the shape of a C.[1]
Dendroclones might be unique to extinct sponges[verification needed] and are branching spicules that may take irregular forms, or may form structures with an I, Y or X shape.[2][3]
Composition
Sponges can be calcareous, siliceous, or composed of spongin.
Function
The meshing of many spicules serves as the sponge’s skeleton.
Taxonomic importance
The composition, size, and shape of spicules is one of the largest determining factors in sponge taxonomy.
Formation
Spicules are formed by sclerocytes, which are derived from archaeocytes. The sclerocyte begins with an organic filament, and adds silica to it. Spicules are generally elongated at a rate of 1-10 μm per hour. Once the spicule reaches a certain length it protrudes from the sclerocyte cell body, but remains within the cell’s membrane. On occasion, sclerocytes may begin a second spicule while the first is still in progress.
Interaction with light
Research on the Euplectella aspergillum (Venus' Flower Basket) demonstrated that the spicules of certain deep-sea sponges have similar traits to Optical fibre. In addition to being able to trap and transport light, these spicules have a number of advantages over commercial fibre optic wire. They are stronger, resist stress easier, and form their own support elements. Also, the low-temperature formation of the spicules, as compared to the high temperature stretching process of commercial fibre optics, allows for the addition of impurities which improve the refractive index. In addition, these spicules have built-in lenses in the ends which gather and focus light in dark conditions. It has been theorized that this ability may function as a light source for symbiotic algae (as with Rosella racovitzae) or as an attractor for shrimp which live inside the Venus' Flower Basket. However, a conclusive decision has not been reached; it may be that the light capabilities are simply a coincidental trait from a purely structural element. [4][5][verification needed] Spicules funnel light deep inside sea sponges.[6] S
References
- ^ a b c d Eugenio Andri; Stefania Gerbaudo; Massimiliano Testa (2001). "13. QUATERNARY SILICEOUS SPONGE SPICULES IN THE WESTERN WOODLARK BASIN, SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
(ODP LEG 180)". Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific Results (PDF). Vol. 180. pp. 1–8.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|editors=ignored (|editor=suggested) (help); line feed character in|chapter=at position 90 (help) - ^ Attention: This template ({{cite doi}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by doi:10.1666/0022-3360(2004)078<0071:SFTPCF>2.0.CO;2, please use {{cite journal}} (if it was published in a bona fide academic journal, otherwise {{cite report}} with
|doi=10.1666/0022-3360(2004)078<0071:SFTPCF>2.0.CO;2instead. - ^ Attention: This template ({{cite jstor}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by jstor:4094792, please use {{cite journal}} with
|jstor=4094792instead. - ^ * Aizenburg, Joanna; et al. (2004). "Biological glass fibers: Correlation between optical and structural properties". Proceedings from the National Academy of Sciences of the USA. 101 (10): 3358–3363. doi:10.1073/pnas.0307843101.
{{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|first1=(help) - ^ Imsiecke, George; et al. (1995). "Formation of Spicules by Sclerocytes from the Freshwater Sponge Ephydatia Meulleri in Short-term Cultures in Vitro". In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol-Animal. 31: 528–535. doi:10.1007/BF02634030.
{{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in:|first1=(help) - ^ Brümmer, F., Pfannkuchen, M., Baltz, A., Hauser, T., and Thiel, V. (2008). "Light inside sponges". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 367 (2): 61–64. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2008.06.036;
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) news report at "Nature's 'fibre optics' experts". BBC. 2008-11-10. Retrieved 2008-11-10.