Class Response: Cnidarians and Sponges

In science class we have been learning about sponges and cnidarians. During this time, I learned quite a lot. To begin with, both cnidarians and sponges reproduce both asexually and sexually. Budding in how the two animals both reproduce asexually, which is when an organism duplicates itself. Sponges and cnidarians have two different cell types that allow them to trap food. Sponges have collar cells and cnidarians have stinging cells. The stinging cells paralyze a cnidarians prey, thus allowing them to eat they prey as their food source. Sponges and cnidarians aslo have two distinct body structures. Cnidarians have radial symmetry, tentacles with stinging cells and two basic body forms:vase shaped and bowl shaped Medusa. Sponges on the other hand, are like hollow bags with pores. They are invertebrate animals with spikes for defense. Based on all of this information I have gained, I ended up feeling satisfied with knowing so much about sponges and cnidarians. This was an interesting topic to learn about, and surprising to see that the 2 animals reproduce the same way. I don't think I can watch "Spongebob" again without remembering all of the facts I learned in class!