A specialized collar cell found in sponges that has a flagellum surrounded by a collar of microvilli, used for creating water currents and capturing food particles. These cells are responsible for the sponge's filter-feeding lifestyle.
From Greek 'choane' meaning funnel and 'kytos' meaning cell, literally 'funnel cell.' Named for the collar-like structure that surrounds the flagellum, resembling a tiny funnel that captures food particles from the water current.
Choanocytes are remarkably similar to a group of single-celled organisms called choanoflagellates, suggesting that sponges evolved when these cells decided to stick together! Each choanocyte is like a tiny vacuum cleaner with a collar filter.
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