Choanocyte
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Choanocytes (also known as "collar cells") are cells that line the interior body walls of sponges that contain a central flagellum surrounded by a collar of microvilli. It is the closest family member to the free-living ancestor called choanoflagellate. The flagellum beats regularly, creating a water flow across the microvilli which can then filter nutrients and other food from the water taken from the collar of the sponge. Food particles are then phagocytosed by the cell. The sponge-like property of these cells is that they reconstruct themselves after complete breakdown.
By lining the walls of spongocoel, they create an intracellular space called the porocyte.
de:Choanozyt
