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Glite Dictionary
choanocyte

choanocyte

9.9
A cell with a tail and a collar that makes water flow and catches food in sponges
  • noun
  • /koʊˈeɪnəˌsaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : coanocito

Examples

  • Asbestopluma has lost both filtering channels through the body and the specialized cells (called choanocytes) that pump the water through.

    Academic text (1995)

  • The choanocyte is essential for sponges as it helps maintain the flow of water through the body.

  • Each choanocyte in a sponge has a collar of cytoplasm that captures food particles from the water.

  • The function of a choanocyte includes the filtration of water and the absorption of nutrients in sponges.

Synonyms

collar cell
vschoanocyte
  • Specialized
9.6

A sponge cell with a tiny tail that moves water and traps food

is phrased as helping rather than claiming full responsibility for water flow

Surface Forms

choanocyte singular
choanocytes plural

Morphology

choanocyte = choano + cyte

Both 'choano-' and '-cyte' are technical Greek combining forms not recognizable as common English words, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from familiar components.

Etymology

Choanocyte comes from Greek parts choan- meaning 'funnel' and -cyte meaning 'cell'. So a choanocyte is like a 'funnel cell' with a little collar and a tail that moves water through a sponge and helps it catch food.