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A glass rope sponge is one of the unique species of sponges1 found in the deep ocean. Many qualities make these a topic worth discussing and gaining knowledge on.
Its outer appearance is striking and will not fail to impress you – with its glassy transparent glow. Additionally, its inner structure is no less than a wonder. It has been an essential part of discussions ranging from optical fibers to biology, ecology, and engineering essentially for a long time.
What Are Glass Sponges?
The glass rope sponge has an intricately visible skeleton structured like glass. Hence, it has been named so. These are living organisms, often referred to as animals.
Glass sponges2 have been termed as one of the oldest living organisms, often also called animals. While these are not literal four or two-legged animals that we commonly see or picturise, their body structure, and internal features pull them under this category.
Other than glass sponges, there are many other strange yet stunning forms of life that accompany this. A human who knows basic swimming or floating would know that organisms need a medium, through which they can stay underwater. For this, there exists a substance that is similar to protoplasm. This substance runs all across the floor of the sea, right at the bottom.
This leads us to the thought that although the creatures underwater are worth noting, even the soil, plants, and their surroundings are of much importance. This is because their surrounding is what makes the glass sponge adapt to it and what all environmental factors have brought in changes to the organism and helped it evolve – if at all.
When discussing glass rope sponges, biomaterial is a term that pops up. These are substances that are engineered in a way to interact with biological systems and usually have a purpose in biological, medical, or similar streams.
Latticework3 is a term often associated when talking about glass sponges. It is also referred to as spicules, which form latticework. Latticework is an overview of a framework that encompasses crisscrossed patterns. This gives the impression that the pattern is made by cross-weaving a grid.
Many such organisms surpass their extreme simplicity and strike researchers with their complexity. We will now discuss further one such organism the glass sponge. The organism does not merely stick to biological discussions but also engineering and technological advancements. The ecological factor always remains to be of topmost importance – because as little as an organism may be, it most definitely will affect humanity.
If you wonder why glass rope is a topic to talk about, read on to find essential facts about it that answer this query and other related questions.
Let’s Embark on Some Fascinating Facts About These!
As discussed briefly, glass rope, commonly called glass sponges, is a matter of immense fascination – their visual appeal, the inner bodily mechanism and functioning, and their possible way of inspiring today’s engineers and scientists.
This then takes us to explore and understand the top ten facts about these. Read on!
1. Euplectella
Euplectella is one of the most famous species of glass sponges. These are commonly called Venus Flower Baskets and are found in the deep waters of the Pacific ocean.
It belongs to the Phylum Porifera 4– Porifera refers to living organisms that are multicellular and have bodies that are filled with pores and channels for passing water.
The name of this species owes to its beautiful appearance. The delicate strands of the skeleton are made out of silica as its base is of white color.
The skeleton is also referred to as the basket, hence the naming Venus Flower Basket. It is about 10 inches that are 25 cm long.
These species feed on debris that is available lusciously and organically. It also feeds on tiny microorganisms that it entraps with the help of numerous holes present in its body.
2. Symbolism
In the serene countryside of Japan, these sponges have been considered a symbol of undying love. To understand why we dig into some scientific reasoning behind this to arrive at the correct answer.
These sponges are protective homes for another deep-sea creature, known as the glass sponge shrimp. The sponge shrimps reside here as a breeding pair throughout their lifespan.
Basically, in Japanese culture, Venus Flower Basket, commonly called glass sponge, symbolizes eternal love and affection due to the lifelong presence of a pair of mating shrimps.
This is why, in Japanese culture, glass sponges have been gifted due to their elegant look and deep-rooted symbolism.
Other than the Venus flower basket, similar species are found in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and some scattered parts of Japan.
3. Striking Skeleton
The glass rope sponge builds its skeleton out of silica. This has been deemed a striking feature because, in some ways, it has shown to be of much superior quality to artificial materials.
In material sciences, the unique properties of glass sponges, especially optical and material ones, are a matter of great wonder.
4. The Body Structure
The body structure of sponges is more or less similar to being vase-shaped and is sometimes cylindrical. The outer portion consists of thin walls. The entire organ system consists of silica, as pointed siliceous spicules – the reason why they are termed glass sponges.
4.1. What Are Spicules?
Spicules are structures that appear to be like pins. These are present in the sponge’s tissue and are so minute that they can be observed with the help of microscopes only.
The structures, called spicules, are an essential feature of sponges when it comes to providing structural support to the skeleton.
5. The Motifs
Glass sponge found in seawater is of peculiar nature. It has fluid-dynamic effects, which are deemed helpful in maintaining balance with swirling motions. The constant movement which takes place in the inner section of the body’s cavity is done so to promote picky filter-feeding as well as to reproduce sexually.
Their mechanism of movement also backs this. The intricate hair-like appendages (the projecting part of any invertebrate organism) cause a lashing movement that helps propel the entire body of this living organism.
6. The New Sponge
In the year 1870, a new type of sponge was mentioned to be found on the island of Santa Cruz. The description answers how the structure featured a very fine bundle of glass in the form of threads. The siliceous spicules or threads appeared closely similar to a bundle of shiny blond hair.
This was then named Pheronema5 by the professor who discovered this. The mentioned name was dedicated to the professor’s wife.
7. Revival
Glass sponges were actually thought to be extinct about millions of years ago, and what was left behind were enormous fossil cliffs which ran through Spain, Germany, and France.
However, a mere revival was observed in 1987 when British Columbia was noticed to create reefs, commonly known as glass sponges. Up till today, this is the only trace of such kind of reef’s presence.
8. Lifespan
One of the most notable and striking properties of glass sponges is their longevity. Some of the glass sponges have been observed to live for hundreds, thousands of years. This makes them one of the longest-lived animals – yes, animals.
It has been revealed that a few specimens of glass rope have been preserved for as long as millions of years – much like fossils.
9. Engineering
Glass rope sponges have matched up the mechanism of fiber optics with the way they channel light. The feature that backs up this notched-up feature is dedicated to the skeleton. However, the reason for the robust strength of this skeleton is – to date – unknown.
Sure, material scientists and engineers term this mystery as a matter of the holy grail for the field of engineering.
As we proceed to sum it up, glass rope sponges have been a topic that sticks to experts dealing with the fields of material sciences and biology. However, the ongoing research which continues to unwrap the marvels behind this creation should reach the general public to read and understand.
The glass sponge has often been regarded as ‘structureless.’ However, the simplicity of this organism highly contradicts its complex and awestriking mechanism and longevity.
The universe offers many wonders, this one being one of them. Many other organisms – ranging from fishes, microorganisms, technological advances, and so much more- reside at an open-ended horizon. Did we stumble upon such a creation as the glass rope sponge before this?
As mentioned, this tough surface biomaterial, glass rope sponge, specifically the silica-based ones, is a successful matter in aspects ranging from a biological, ecological, and environmental perspective.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where Can One Find Glass Rope Sponges?
Glass rope sponges are frequently discovered in the Pacific Ocean’s deep waters, particularly in the regions near Japan and Hawaii.
2. What Function Do Glass Rope Sponges Serve in The Environment?
By providing a habitat for a variety of marine species, including small crustaceans and fish, glass rope sponges serve a significant role in marine ecology. Moreover, they aid in water filtration and small particle removal, preserving the ecosystem’s general health.
3. Can Glass Rope Sponges Be Used Medically in Any Way?
There is no proof that glass rope sponges offer any therapeutic benefits. They contain bioactive chemicals, according to research, which may be useful in the creation of new medications.
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- Cortés, Jorge, Noam Van Der Hal, and RWM van Soest. “Sponges.” Marine Biodiversity of Costa Rica, Central America. Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands, 2009. 137-142. ↩︎
- Leys, Sally P., George O. Mackie, and Henry M. Reiswig. “The biology of glass sponges.” Advances in marine biology 52 (2007): 1-145. ↩︎
- Du, Wei, et al. “Heat transfer and flow structure in a detached latticework duct.” Applied Thermal Engineering 155 (2019): 24-39. ↩︎
- Manconi, Renata, and Roberto Pronzato. “Phylum porifera.” Thorp and Covich’s freshwater invertebrates. Academic Press, 2016. 39-83. ↩︎
- Rice, A. L., M. H. Thurston, and A. L. New. “Dense aggregations of a hexactinellid sponge, Pheronema carpenteri, in the Porcupine Seabight (northeast Atlantic Ocean), and possible causes.” Progress in Oceanography 24.1-4 (1990): 179-196. ↩︎
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