Some digestion in sponges takes place in the __________.

• A. osculum
• B. gastrovascular cavity
• C. spongocoel
• D. gastrointestinal tract
• E. amoebocytes

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the basic biology of sponges: Sponges are simple multicellular organisms that lack true tissues and organs. They have a porous body structure and rely on water flow through their bodies for feeding, respiration, and waste removal.
2. Identify the role of amoebocytes in sponges: Amoebocytes are specialized cells within sponges that play a crucial role in digestion. They move through the sponge's body, engulfing food particles and digesting them intracellularly.
3. Differentiate between the structures listed: The osculum is an opening through which water exits the sponge. The gastrovascular cavity is found in cnidarians, not sponges. The spongocoel is the central cavity of the sponge, where water flows through. The gastrointestinal tract is a complex organ system found in higher animals, not sponges.
4. Recognize that sponges do not have a gastrointestinal tract or a gastrovascular cavity, and digestion occurs at the cellular level within amoebocytes.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is amoebocytes, as they are responsible for intracellular digestion in sponges.