The choanocytes are flagellated and collared cells that move water in the body of the sponge, capture food items on the collar by mucus, which are phagocytized by the cell body. This food is shared with adjacent cells for nutrition and distribution. The cells that complete the digestion and sharing are the archaeocytes. Some archaeocytes produce spicules from nutrient molecules and they are called scierocytes. If the support structures are not spicules but fibrous collagen, then they are produced by different cells, the collencytes.
Sponges reproduce asexually by budding, fragmentation, and producing gemmules.
Gemmules are packets of cells produced by freshwater sponges that are able to withstand the harsh conditions of winter. Sexual reproduction involves producing eggs and sperm at different times. This condition of having both male and female gonads is called monoecious, but the sexes are usually developed at different times. Marine sponges produce larval forms via sexual reproduction, which helps distribute the species to additional favorable habitats and incidentally contributes to the protein base of the marine plankton. Sponges are a very ancient group that is remotely related to the metazoa.