Chapter 24, Problem 34A

Summary Introduction

To write:

The amount of water filtered by sponges in one hour, and 12 hours.

Introduction:

Sponges were the first animals to evolve from a multicellular ancestor. They have no organs or tissues and most of them lack symmetry. Most sponges are found in marine environments. Sponge embryos do not form endoderm or mesoderm, and hence they do not have tissues. All the life functions of sponges are performed by two layers of independent jellylike substance.

Explanation of Solution

Sponges feed by filtering small particles from water. As the nutrients and oxygen dissolved in water enter the pores of the sponge. The food particles cling to the cells.

The sponge filters $1.8\text{mL}$ of water per second.

In one minute, it will filter $1.8\times 60$ = $108\text{mL}$ of water.

Therefore, in one hour it will filter $108\times 60\text{mL= 6480 mL}$ or $6.48\text{L}$ of water.

In $12$ hours, it will filter $12\times 6480=77,760\text{mL}$ or $\text{77}\text{.76 L}$ of water.

Conclusion

In one hour, the sponge will filter $108\times 60\text{mL= 6480 mL}$ or $6.48\text{L}$ of water.

And in $12$ hours, it will filter $12\times 6480=77,760\text{mL}$ or $\text{77}\text{.76 L}$ of water.