The key difference between pinacoderm and choanoderm is that pinacoderm is an external skin or outermost epithelial layer composed of pinacocytes, which are plate-like cells. In contrast, choanoderm is the innermost body layer or inner surface composed of choanocytes, which are flagellated cells.
Sponges are simple invertebrates belonging to Phylum Porifera. They are sessile metazoans characterized as multicellular immobile animals. Also, there are approximately 5,000 living sponge species, and they possess a unique feeding system. They draw water through the tiny pores in their body walls. Therefore, they have bodies full of pores and channels, allowing water to circulate through them. They maintain a constant water flow and rely on it to obtain their food. Body of the sponge is hollow and contains different cell types including two main types: pinacocytes, choanocytes. Pinacocytes form the external skin called pinacoderm while choanocytes form the inner surface called choanoderm.
