spongin

American  

[spuhn-jin] / ˈspʌn dʒɪn /

noun

1. a scleroprotein occurring in the form of fibers that form the skeleton of certain sponges.

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spongin British  

/ ˈspʌndʒɪn /

noun

1. a fibrous horny protein that forms the skeletal framework of the bath sponge and related sponges

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Etymology

Origin of spongin

First recorded in 1865–70; sponge + -in ²

Example Sentences

Skeleton with well-defined but slender radiating fibres, which contain very little spongin; transverse fibres close together but consisting for the most part of one or two spicules only.

From Project Gutenberg

A moderate amount of spongin present.

From Project Gutenberg

Skeleton dense but by no means regular; the radiating fibres distinct and containing a considerable amount of spongin, at any rate in the outer part of the sponge; transverse fibres hardly distinguishable, single spicules and irregular bundles of spicules taking their place.

From Project Gutenberg

The skeleton is extremely dense owing to the large number of spicules it contains, but almost structureless; broad vertical groups of spicules occur but lack spongin and only traverse a small part of the thickness of the sponge; their position is irregular.

From Project Gutenberg

In S. carteri var. mollis both spicules and spongin are reduced to a minimum, and the parenchyma is relatively more bulky than usual.

From Project Gutenberg