Choanocyte

A flagellated collar cell lining sponge chambers. Its beating flagellum drives water through the sponge, while its collar traps suspended food particles.

Flagellum: A whip-like cellular appendage whose movement propels cells or fluid. Its beating drives water past the choanocyte’s particle-trapping collar.
Eukaryotic cell: A cell whose DNA is enclosed within a nucleus and whose interior contains membrane-bound compartments. Choanocytes are specialized eukaryotic cells with a nucleus and organelles.
Choanoflagellatea: A group of eukaryotes that includes the closest living single-celled relatives of animals. Their collar-and-flagellum form closely resembles the defining architecture of choanocytes.
Sponge aquaculture: The cultivation of sponges for research, conservation, or commercial products. Cultured sponges depend on functioning choanocytes to pump and filter water.
Microvilli: Small membrane projections that increase a cell’s surface area. Closely spaced microvilli form the collar that retains food particles.
Cell differentiation: The process by which cells develop distinct structures and functions. Choanocytes are one of the specialized cell types in a sponge.
Animal evolution: The evolutionary history of animals, from their common ancestry to their diverse living groups. Choanocyte similarities inform hypotheses about early animal ancestors.
Sponge cell culture: Laboratory maintenance and study of cells isolated from sponges. Isolated choanocytes can be examined for feeding, movement, and cell interactions.
Phagocytosis: Cellular uptake of particles by enclosing them in membrane-bound compartments. Choanocytes can engulf food captured on their collars.
Sponge: An aquatic animal in the phylum Porifera, typically organized around a system of water canals and chambers. Choanocytes are characteristic cells of sponges and operate within their bodies.

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