How do pinacocytes help an animal sponge respond when disturbed?

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Pinacocytes are flattened, granular cells that form the pinacoderm, which is the single-cell layer covering the surface of a sponge and lining its internal canals.

When a sponge is disturbed, these cells are capable of contracting. This contraction can cause a reduction in the overall volume of the sponge. While sponges lack a nervous system and do not exhibit conspicuous movements, this contractile ability allows them to respond physically to environmental disturbances.12