poriferan

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Word: Poriferan

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: A poriferan is a type of simple, multicellular animal that lives in water, usually the ocean. They have a body that is full of tiny holes (pores) and is supported by a framework made of fibers. Poriferans often live attached to surfaces and do not move around much.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "poriferan" when talking about marine life, especially in scientific or educational contexts.
• It is typically used in discussions about biology, ecology, or marine studies.

Example:

• "The scientist studied the poriferans found in the coral reef to understand their role in the ecosystem."

Advanced Usage:

• In advanced discussions, you might encounter terms like "sponges" when referring to poriferans, as they are the most well-known group within this classification.

Word Variants:

• Porifera (noun): This is the scientific classification that refers to the entire phylum of these animals.
• Poriferous (adjective): Describing something that has pores or is full of tiny holes, which can sometimes relate to poriferans.

Different Meanings:

• "Poriferan" is primarily used in a biological context, and it doesn’t have other meanings outside this scientific domain.

Synonyms:

• Sponge (most common type of poriferan)
• Filter feeder (describes how poriferans feed by filtering water)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "poriferan," as it is a specialized term in biology.

Summary:

In summary, poriferans are simple marine animals known for their porous bodies and are important in studying marine ecosystems.

Academic

Noun

1. primitive multicellular marine animal whose porous body is supported by a fibrous skeletal framework; usually occurs in sessile colonies

Synonyms

• sponge
• parazoan