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

Another type of protein, spongin, may also be present in the mesohyl of some sponges.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

In some cases the skeleton seems to be more or less replaced by sand, the small grains of which are cemented together by the "spongin."

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 601, July 9, 1887 by Various

The skeleton is variable in structure, sometimes being almost amorphous, sometimes having well-defined radiating and transverse fibres firmly compacted with spongin.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

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

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson

The consistency of a sponge depends on two factors—the number of spicules present, and the amount of spongin.

From Freshwater Sponges, Hydroids & Polyzoa by Annandale, Nelson