Question

In sponges the germ cells are

• A. Flagellate
• B. Nonflagellate
• C. Uniflagellate sperm and nonflagellate egg
• D. Multiflagellate sperm and nonflagellate egg

Answer 1

The correct option is C Uniflagellate sperm and nonflagellate egg

The cells that have the potential to develop into gametes are called germ cells. In sponges, male gametes are the sperms and the female gametes are ovum or egg. Sperm mother cell which is called spermatogonium is formed from the enlarged archaeocyte or due to modification of a choanocyte. The spermatogonium then forms haploid sperms by the process of meiosis. Sperms are uniflagellate. Flagella helps the sperms to swim so that they can reach female gamete i.e. ovum. Ovum is formed from the meiosis of egg mother cell formed from enlarged archaeocyte or modification of choanocyte. Ovum doesn't have any flagella and is present in the mesenchyme.

Hence, in sponges germ cells are uniflagellate sperm and non-flagellate egg.

So, the correct answer is 'Uniflagellate sperm and non-flagellate egg'.