Question

Gemmules take part in
A) Sexual reproduction
B) Asexual reproduction
C) Digestion
D) Development of water current in sponges

Answer 1

Hint: It is a type of reproduction in which organisms make their own type without interchanging their genetic information with other organisms. It is done by single-celled organisms and their population growth is rapid.

Complete step by step answer:
The Sponges are found to be involved in both sexual and asexual reproduction.
- Gemmules are the structure, which takes part in the asexual reproduction of sponges.
Gemmules: It is a group of cells that surrounds a protective covering that has the ability to divide and grow into a new organism or adult freshwater sponge.
- It is a type of internal budding and generally takes place because of the formation of internal buds to hold out against unfavorable environmental conditions( harsh climate, drought).
- Gemmules can be seen as a ball- like structure that has a thick layer of small spicules made up of silica with a central mass of amoeboid cells.
- This structure is found in the freshwater sponge-like Spongilla including some marine species like sea sponges and ficulina ficus.

So, the correct answer is, "Asexual reproduction".

Additional information:
- Gemmules are usually normal size, look like a hardball, and loaded with food mass along with reproductive cells.
- During development, gemmule cells come out through a small opening called micropyle for reproducing asexually in favorable condition.
Sexual reproduction: Sponges are mainly hermaphrodite means they produce both eggs and sperms and their fusion leads to the development of new offspring.
- Asexual reproduction in sponges also takes through budding mainly known as external budding in which some parts of the sponge break and regenerate into a new organism.

Note:
- Sponges are able to make only one type of gamete at a time and they were able to reproduce both sexually and asexually.
- Two types of asexual reproduction take place in Sponges- external budding and internal budding.