Porifera
| Definition: |
The phylum of sponges, the most primitive of multicellular animals. Their body is perforated with many pores to admit water, through which food is strained. All sponges are sessile and exhibit little detectable movement. Most are hermaphroditic. They are probably an early evolutionary side branch that gave rise to no other group of animals. Except for about 150 freshwater species, sponges are marine animals. They are a source of alkaloids, sterols and other natural products useful in medicine and biological research. (Dorland, 27th ed; from Barnes, Invertebrate Zoology, 5th ed, p71) |
| Notes: |
the sponges; /microbiol /parasitol /virol permitted |
Porifera Definitions and Terms
MedicalGlossary.org is designed as a free, browsable resource for all. The medical terms and definitions are not intended to replace medical informaion provided by licensed healthcare professionals. Please see a doctor if you need medical assistance. Don't see the medical term you were researching? Send us an e-mail from our "about us" page. We will do our best to research and classify new medical terms in a timely manner. Our current list of medical terms is over 26,000. Data sources include the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004 Medical Subject Headings.
|
