Filter feeding

Definition

Filter feeding is a method of obtaining food where organisms filter out small particles from water, allowing them to extract nutrients while expelling the excess. This feeding strategy is especially important for various aquatic animals, as it enables them to thrive in environments where food resources may be sparse. Filter feeders play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems by maintaining water clarity and cycling nutrients.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Filter feeding is primarily seen in aquatic animals such as sponges and certain cnidarians, allowing them to efficiently capture tiny food particles like plankton.
2. In sponges, filter feeding is facilitated by the action of choanocytes, which create a flow of water through the sponge's body and trap food particles.
3. Cnidarians like jellyfish and corals also utilize filter feeding, using their tentacles to capture food particles suspended in the water.
4. The process of filter feeding can enhance nutrient cycling in aquatic environments, promoting overall ecosystem health.
5. Some filter feeders can significantly influence the clarity of water by removing suspended particles, which helps maintain balanced ecosystems.

Review Questions

• How do choanocytes function in the filter feeding process of sponges?
  • Choanocytes are specialized cells in sponges that play a crucial role in the filter feeding process. They have a collar of microvilli that traps food particles while generating water currents through the sponge's body. This movement allows sponges to bring in water containing nutrients, which are then filtered and absorbed, while waste products are expelled.
• Discuss the similarities and differences between the filter feeding mechanisms of sponges and cnidarians.
  • Both sponges and cnidarians utilize filter feeding as a primary method to capture food from water. In sponges, this is achieved through choanocytes that create water currents and trap particles. In contrast, cnidarians like jellyfish use their tentacles equipped with specialized cells called nematocysts to capture larger particles. While both groups benefit from filtering water for nutrients, their anatomical structures and methods differ significantly.
• Evaluate the ecological impact of filter feeding organisms on aquatic ecosystems and their role in nutrient cycling.
  • Filter feeding organisms play a vital role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems by regulating nutrient cycling and improving water quality. By removing suspended particles from the water column, they not only enhance clarity but also recycle nutrients essential for other organisms' growth. This process supports food webs by providing nutrients to various marine life forms, demonstrating how filter feeders contribute to overall ecosystem stability and resilience.

Related terms

Choanocytes: Specialized cells found in sponges that help create water currents and capture food particles through their collar-like structure.

Gastrovascular cavity: A central cavity in cnidarians where digestion occurs; it serves both digestive and circulatory functions.

Plankton: Tiny organisms drifting in water, which serve as a primary food source for many filter-feeding species.