What is a sponge? Detailed answer

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What is a sponge? Detailed answer

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What is a sponge?

The sponges that are sold in stores and used for washing dishes or cleaning the kitchen are not real. They are made of synthetic materials, although they are very similar to a real sponge and are easy to use.

But real sponges appear in the sea, not in a chemical laboratory. For a long time, many were sure that they knew everything about sponges. It was believed to be a plant until a man named Robert Grant proved in 1825 that sponges were once animals!

He examined the sponges in the water through a microscope. And I saw trickles of water that entered through one hole and exited through another. But still, for many years, scientists still did not know what kind of animal it was. It was believed that these are tiny single-celled creatures that live together in one large colony.

We now know that sponges are the dried skeletons of marine animals belonging to the "porous" class. This is a fairly significant group of animals. And although sponges are one of the lowest forms in the animal kingdom, their structure is quite complex.

Their top layer consists of flat cells, somewhat reminiscent of a ladder. The channels formed by these cells are not like those found in other animals. They are in the form of columns, each of which ends with a large "weir". These weirs suck water into the sponge and then release it. In this way, sponges obtain oxygen and food (millions of tiny organisms that are absorbed along with water). Waste is also thrown away together with waste water. This is why fresh sponges that still have water left in them smell bad. But it should be noted that this protects the sponges, because the smell discourages other animals from eating them!

In the center of the sponge is a light jelly-like mass, which contains moving cells. They are likely involved in the processes of food digestion, respiration, and waste removal.

Sponges can have a different shape and color. In general, they are very diverse, the most valuable species of sponges can be found at great depths at a distance of 80-130 km from the coast.

Author: Likum A.

Random interesting fact from the Great Encyclopedia:

What voyages did Henry the Navigator become famous for?

The Portuguese prince Henry the Navigator did not sail anywhere as a captain and generally did not get out of Portugal anywhere, and received the nickname because he was the organizer of many Portuguese expeditions that led to the discovery of new lands.

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Sunlight increases the sexual activity of men 07.10.2016

Scientists at the European University Neuropsychopharmacological Congress found that a daily dose of bright light can increase testosterone levels, increasing male potency and sexual activity.

The researchers recruited 38 male subjects who were diagnosed with a disorder characterized by a lack of interest in sex. Their baseline libido and testosterone levels were measured prior to the start of the trial, after which the subjects were divided into 2 groups: one received a 30-minute "shower" of white fluorescent light at an intensity of 10,000 lux immediately after waking up, and the control group received a placebo in a much less intense light.

Before starting the treatment program, the men rated their sexual satisfaction at 2 points out of 10. After two weeks, those who regularly received a dose of bright light had a three-fold increase in libido, and patients already rated it at 6 out of 10. In the placebo group, however, only a sluggish increase to 2,7 was observed. The level of testosterone in the first group also increased from 2,1 ng / ml to 3,6 ng / ml, which also served as an incentive to increase sexual activity.

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According to experts, phototherapy may be more effective than taking antidepressants or chemical injections of pathogens, while it does not cause side effects. For both men and women experiencing various problems associated with sexual dysfunction, such therapy will only benefit.

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