Which of the following is true about sponges?

Options

A. Intercellular digestion
B. Direct development
C. Internal fertilization
D. metagenesis

Answer

To determine which statement about sponges is true, we will evaluate each option provided in the question: intracellular digestion, direct development, internal fertilization, and metagenesis.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Evaluate Intracellular Digestion**:
- Sponges are known to perform intracellular digestion. This means that food particles are engulfed by the cells and digested within them.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **not true** as it incorrectly states that sponges do not perform intracellular digestion.

2. **Evaluate Direct Development**:
- Sponges do not undergo direct development. Instead, they have a larval stage that is morphologically distinct from the adult form. This means that the larval stage looks different from the adult sponge.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is also **not true** because sponges exhibit indirect development.

3. **Evaluate Internal Fertilization**:
- Sponges typically exhibit internal fertilization, where the sperm fertilizes the egg inside the female sponge's body.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **true** as it accurately describes the reproductive process in sponges.

4. **Evaluate Metagenesis**:
- Metagenesis refers to the alternation of generations between asexual and sexual reproduction, which is characteristic of certain organisms, particularly in the phylum Cnidaria, not sponges.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **not true** as sponges do not exhibit metagenesis.

### Final Answer:
The true statement about sponges is **internal fertilization**.

---