Chemical Defense in the Marine Sponge

Goals

The simple marine sponge is a lesson in biology and chemistry. Therefore the goals of this TIP are to:

  • to learn sponge anatomy and physiology
  • to gain an insight into the sponges place in marine ecology
  • to learn about the nature of this sessile creature's chemical defense
  • to learn about the toxicity of some of these chemicals
  • and how they have been put to benficial use by man

Standards

This topic meets following standards in science education, as proposed by the National Committee on Science Education Standards and Assessment, National Research Council, National Science Education Standards, 1996.


Life Science:

  • Interdependence of organisms
  • Matter, energy, and organization in living systems
  • Behavior of organisms