Organisms of which of the following phylum are called sponges ?

Organisms belonging to the phylum Porifera are commonly known as sponges. The term Porifera is derived from the Latin words porus (pore) and ferre (to bear), highlighting their most defining characteristic: a body perforated by numerous minute pores.

• Body Structure: Sponges are the simplest multicellular, sessile (non-motile) animals, mostly found in marine habitats. They lack true tissues and organs.
• Water Transport System: They possess a unique canal system where water enters through tiny pores called ostia into a central cavity (spongocoel) and exits through a larger opening called the osculum. This system is vital for nutrition, respiration, and excretion.
• Other Options: Coelenterata (Cnidaria) includes jellyfish and corals; Platyhelminthes consists of flatworms; and Echinodermata includes spiny-skinned animals like starfish.