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Gemmule: Introduction, Parts, Structure, Chracterstics

Gemmules are internal buds found in sponges and are involved in asexual reproduction. Check this article to know more about the Gemmules.
authorImageJasdeep Bhatia11 Jun, 2024
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Gemmule

If you are looking for “Gemmule'', you have come to the right place!

This article will talk about the subject of gemmule. A gemmule is a collection of asexually produced cells that can develop into a brand-new species or an adult fresh sponge. Sponge cells are small, bud-like structures that have evolved to resist challenging environmental conditions. A fresh sponge can reproduce both sexually and asexually. The two primary asexual reproduction processes are budding and gemmulation. The newly developed sponges create internal buds called gemmules. These tough gemmules have a clump of dormant embryonic cells on their surface. The Kingdom Phylum includes marine cellular organisms like fresh sponges.

Ganongs Potometer

Introduction

A mass of asexually produced cells known as a gemmule can develop into a brand-new species or an adult freshwater sponge. Both sexual and asexual reproduction is possible in freshwater sponges. To overcome unfavourable environmental conditions, sponges produce tiny, bud-like cells. Budding and gemmulation are the two main methods of asexual reproduction. The inner buds that freshwater sponges produce are known as gemmules. These gemmules are covered in a latent cluster of embryonic cells and have a hard shell. Freshwater sponges are multicellular marine creatures belonging to the class Porifera. This kingdom comprises the sponge, Ficulina ficus, sea sponge, and numerous other species. All species have similar characteristics and belong to the same kingdom.

Fungus Life Cycle

Gemmules frequently have a spherical or ball-like shape, an amoeboid cell mass at their centre, and a thick layer of tiny siliceous spicules around their edges. The micropyle, spicule, inner layer, archaeocyte, and outer pneumatic layer make up the structure of gemmules. Gemmules can float in watery areas due to the air chambers and thick pneumatic layer found in the micropyle, an outer cell layer with a small aperture. The spicule, which has pointed ends, supports the gemmules structurally and shields them from predators.

Gastric Symptoms

Parts of Gemmule

  • Inner layer: The internal buds of gemmules can endure freezing, dehydration, and even a lack of oxygen.
  • Spicule: Sclera oblasts release amphidisc spicules in the space between the internal and external membranes. A fully developed gemmule has a normal size, hardball-like structure, a mound of food packed with reproductive cells, and an envelope that is thick and double membrane laminated with amphidisc spicules in the middle.
  • Micropyle: The micropyle is the exterior coat of a cell with a minute aperture. The peripheral layer comprises a thick pneumatic layer and air chambers, which allows gemmules to float in water bodies.
  • Archaeocytes: Archaeocytes are specialised sponge cells with collected and spicule-like structural components. They migrate around the mesohyl in a manner akin to an amoeba, carrying out a variety of crucial tasks.
  • Outer pneumatic layer: The endospore, covered by a layer of spicules and covers the gemmule's outer layer, protects it from other adverse environmental factors and aids in its development into an adult freshwater sponge.

Fly Life Cycle

Structure of Gemmule

It has the hardball-like structure and standard size of a fully formed gemmule. In addition to reproductive cells, a grown gemmule has a food mass encased in membranes. Gemmules also have a tiny opening called a micropyle. When the environment is favourable for development, cells come through this opening.
  • The interior mass of amoebic cells in gemmules, frequently shaped like a ball or a sphere, is surrounded by a thick outer layer of microscopic siliceous spicules.
  • The Complex Structure of Gemmules comprises a Micropyle, a Spicule, an Inner Layer, Archaeocytes, and an Outer Pneumatic Layer.
  • The peripheral layer of a gemmule consists of air chambers and a thick pneumatic layer. The cell's outer coat has a small hole that lets the gemmule float when submerged in water.
  • The pointed spicule protects the gemmules from harm and provides them with structural support. The archaeocytes are in charge of reproduction.

Fossils Tracing Evolution

How are Gemmule Produced?

Several marine species, including sea sponges, ficus filing, and other poriferans, as well as a few genera of freshwater sponges, including Spongilla, generate gemmules to endure unfavourable conditions, germinate, and produce young sponges. When gemmules are created, a mass of totipotent cells called archaeocytes, which are stuffed with food as glycoprotein or lipoprotein, forms. The central mass of archaeocytes is surrounded by a layer of thick, solid chitin, which is secreted by a motile cell termed an amoebocyte. Scleral oblasts discharge amphidisc spicules in the space between the internal and external membranes. A fully grown gemmule has a hardball-like structure that is normal in size, a mound of food that is filled with reproductive cells, and a thick, double-layered envelope with amphidisc spicules in the middle. Cells arise throughout development through a tiny hole called the Micropyle when conditions are favourable.

Frogs Morphology Anatomy

Characteristics of Gemmule

  • Gemmules are resistant to desiccation brought on by weather, temperature, and other factors.
  • Even in the coldest months of the year, they resist freezing throughout the winter.
  • They can resist high oxygen deprivation due to their anoxia resistance.
  • They resist deterioration, spoilage, and decay because they can endure prolonged dormancy.
  • Gemmules resemble a bacterial endospore.
  • They are made up of amoebocytes.
  • A thin covering of spicules surrounds them for support and to keep predators away.
  • The harsh climatic conditions that would even be sufficient to kill fully mature sponges are inadequate to degrade these gemmules.
  • The gemmules don't begin to grow again until the environment has become less hostile.

Fragmentation

Gemmule <span style=

Q1. What purposes serve gemmules?

Ans: In some maritime species, the adult sponge releases these so-called "gemmules," which are often utilised to keep the sponges alive during periods of unfavourable conditions when the adults degenerate, like drought or extremely high temperatures.

Q2. Are gemmules present in all sponges?

Ans: Sponges can live in either freshwater or saltwater environments. Many sponges develop gemmules as part of their life cycle to cope with environmental challenges. Cells that are initially in a state of metabolic arrest regulated by endogenous factors can be found in the gemmules of most sponges.

Q3. What role do gemmules play in sponge survival?

Ans: Gemmules, an asexual reproductive cell type found in sponges, arise when extreme cold, a drought, or other circumstances threaten the sponge's survival. Gemmules are resistant to drying, freezing, and loss of oxygen. A sponge may not live, but its gemmules do.

Q4. Who invented gemmules?

Ans: Asexual reproduction, which frequently involves budding, entails reproduction from just one parent, while sexual reproduction involves two parents of different sexes. According to Darwin, in asexual reproduction, gemmules from all of the parent's cell types gathered in a bud, which would later grow into a new individual.

Q5. What distinguishes gemmules from buddings?

Ans: Asexual reproduction by budding involves the generation of a new bud outside the parent, whereas asexual reproduction through gemmule formation involves the growth of buds or gemmules inside the parent. As a result, gemmules develop internally while buds form outwardly.
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