Has The Brain Of A Sea Sponge

History of Sea Sponges

Sea sponges are ancient creatures that have been inhabiting the world’s oceans since the Cambrian period, around 541 million years ago. They have an interesting morphology, being some of the few multicellular organisms that lack tissues and organs. Instead, they have spicules – hard microscopic structures made out of silica or calcium that gives the sponge its shape and stability. It is believed that these spicules are used to protect against predators, resist extreme oceanic pressures, reach food resources, among other mechanisms.

In spite of the lack of organs and tissues, sea sponges can be quite energy efficient. Their ability to filter water in order to obtain the necessary nutrients has enabled them to survive over the millennia. What is more, sponges are also able to feed on organic materials, tiny crustacean larvae, and bacteria.

The Brainless Sea Sponges

Sea sponges are classified as animals, thus, one would expect them to possess a brain, just like any other animal. Nonetheless, it is not the case – sea sponges do not have a brain. In fact, they don’t have a central nervous system or sensory organs, either.

In spite of the lack of a central nervous system, sponges still present some neurological mechanisms. In order to distinguish between their predators and allies, sponges might possess a simple chemical receptor. Moreover, these creatures do respond to external stimuli, but the rules underlying such processes remain unknown.

Interestingly, due to their primitive neural structures, sponges are capable of displaying diverse behaviours, such as forming connections between their parts. This ability might have contributed to their skillful navigation, ability to avoid predators, and efficient search for food.

Expression of Genes

In order to better understand the role of the sea sponges’ genes for their behaviour, scientists have been conducting research on the midwater sponge Aplysilla sulcus. This is the second-largest demosponge species, reaching nearly 60 centimeters in diameter.

In this particular research, the scientists noted that the majority of its 6,147 genes are related to metabolism, despite the lack of complex organs. In addition, the research found that some genes also appeared to be related to signalling and rapid cellular responses.

The expression of these genes might be the underlying cause for the sponges’ primitive neural system – these genes might be part of the development of the neurons, and could be the keyholders to a better understanding of the sponge’s simple cognition.

The Impact on Neuroscience

The understanding of the sea sponges’ behavior might help us to gain a better knowledge of the neurosciences, since sponges might help us to understand the neuronal complexity underlying simple behaviors. Therefore, more research on the matter should be conducted in order to develop a deeper knowledge of the sea sponges’ behavior and its connections to modern neuroscience.

In addition, since the sponges live in diverse contexts and in hostile environments, learning core-level responses from them can help us better understand the evolution of intelligence and consciousness.

Amphimedon Viridis

Ingredients for understanding the neuronal machine of the sea sponges can be found in Amphimedon viridis. This is the first species of the newly-described order of sponges, and understanding its neuronal system might provide us with insights about ancient genetic mechanisms that survived over the millennia.

The genome of this species has revealed that its neuronal cells are resistant to deformations. Moreover, the sponges possess several features that enable them to detect the changes in their environment and react rapidly in order to obtain food and protect themselves from potential dangers.

Therefore, learning more about Amphimedon viridis, as well as other species of sea sponges, can provide us with knowledge that can help us to understand on an evolutionary and neurological level how these organisms have developed to survive over time.

Genetic Implications of Sea Sponges

Understanding the genetic implications that govern the behavior of sea sponges can provide us with important insights into the genetics that might help us to understand both ancient and modern organismic behaviour. For instance, understanding how the sea sponges recognize and act upon environmental changes can provide us with knowledge about how genetic changes can affect behaviour.

Identifying the key genetic markers involved in such behaviours can help us to comprehend on a deeper level the tactics used by the sea sponges to remain alive and healthy. Also, it may enable us to learn more about the neuronal system and the underlying rules that govern the primitive behavior of these dynamic creatures.

The Evolutionary Implications

It is believed that sponges have some innate behaviors, such as feeding, reproduction, chemical communication, and defense reactions. Therefore, understanding how they have evolved such abilities over time can provide us with insights into deeper structures of communication, important neuronal mechanisms that are still valid today.

In addition, it is believed that sponges’ ancient behavior can also help us to better understand how organisms generate memories and reactions to different environmental cues, as well as better understand how organisms choose the best tactics in order to survive in the harshest of environments.

Sponge Symbiosis

Due to their primitive structure, sponges are usually unable to move across vast distances in order to find food. In order to do so, sponges enter in a symbiotic relationship with bacteria, such as Nitrosomonas. This bacteria feeds off the sponges’ waste products and, in turn, provides them with essential nutrients.

This intriguing relationship can provide us with knowledge about how the neurons of sea sponges collaborate in order to enable the sponges to recognize the bacteria and accept them as potential allies. This also provides us with valuable insights into how organisms can develop collaboration skills in order to survive in a hostile environment.

Conclusion

In sum, although sea sponges lack a brain and a central nervous system, they present several features that can help us to better comprehend the core neuronal mechanisms that allow them to obey and survive in the most hostile environments. From the identification of their genes, to the introduction of evolutionary implications of their behavior, sea sponges open a realm of possibilities in order for us to understand further the still unexplained neural properties.

Susie Romaine

Suzie S. Romaine is an experienced marine biologist and author specializing in sea sponges. When she isn’t researching or writing about sea sponges, Suzie enjoys swimming, diving, and playing with her pet seahorse, Squirtle.

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