How does the way water and food enters cnidarians differ from the way they enter a sponge?

Answer 1

damn.. long one

porifera: the way food enters the sponge is very linked to the way water flows through it's body. This is due to the fact that sponges capture food such as detritus particles, plankton and bacteria brought close by water currents created by the choanocytes (they're filter feeders). Food items are taken into individual cells by phagocytosis, and digestion occurs within individual cells.

I found you this sponge flash site.. lol.. in case you have any more questions. It's about the cells and the water and food flow. Sorry, explaining water and food flow would be too long since it all depends on the type of sponge.
http://www.biology.ualberta.ca/courses.hp/zool250/animations/Porifera.swf

Cnidaria: water and food flow also linked since it's the tentacles that usuall create a current so that the water (and therefore food) goes into the mouth.


-i'll add the rest when I get home.. I'm at work :P