Spongin

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Spongin, a modified type of collagen protein, forms the fibrous skeleton of most organisms among the phylum Porifera, the sponges. It is secreted by sponge cells known as spongocytes [1]

Spongin gives a sponge its flexibility. True spongin is found only in members of the class Demospongiae. Researchers have found over 100,000 types of spongin.[2] Spongin is vitreous, or glass-like.

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, D. (2001). Invertebrate Zoology. Oxford University Press. 
  2. ↑ Brusca, R.; Brusca, G. (2003). Invertebrate Zoology. Sinauer Associates. p. 191. 


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