Szivacsalapúak

Szivacsalapúak is a Hungarian term that translates to "sponge-based" or "sponge-like" organisms. In a biological context, it most commonly refers to the phylum Porifera, which are the simplest multicellular animals. These aquatic invertebrates are characterized by their porous bodies, which allow water to flow through them, enabling filter-feeding.

Sponges are found in a wide range of marine and freshwater environments, from shallow coastal areas to deep-sea trenches. They exhibit a diverse array of shapes, sizes, and colors, with some species forming encrusting mats while others grow into elaborate vase or branching structures. Their skeletal structure is composed of spicules, which can be made of calcium carbonate or silica, or a flexible proteinaceous material called spongin.

Despite their seemingly simple anatomy, sponges play important ecological roles. They act as natural water filters, removing particulate matter and microorganisms from the water column. Some species also provide habitat and shelter for other marine organisms. While they lack true tissues and organs, sponges possess specialized cells that perform specific functions, such as choanocytes (collar cells) that generate water currents and capture food particles, and amoebocytes that distribute nutrients and contribute to skeleton formation. Reproduction in sponges can be asexual, through budding or fragmentation, or sexual, involving the release of gametes into the water.