SSC Selection Post 2022 PYQ — Question 26

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. fresh.

 

Spongilla is an example of a freshwater sponge. Unlike most sponges that inhabit marine environments, Spongilla thrives in clean, slow-moving freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, and streams. It belongs to the phylum Porifera and class Demospongiae. Spongilla has a porous body with numerous channels that allow water to circulate through it, aiding in filter feeding. It hosts symbiotic green algae (Zoochlorellae), which gives it a green appearance and contributes to its nutrition through photosynthesis. It reproduces both sexually and asexually, forming resistant structures called gemmules to survive harsh conditions. Spongilla plays a vital role in maintaining aquatic ecosystem balance.