Reading Comprehension

Read the passage and answer the question.

Glass sponges are among the longest-living animals on Earth, with some individuals on deep ocean floors estimated to be more than ten thousand years old. Their skeletons are built from silica, the same material found in window glass, arranged into delicate lattices. Unlike most animals, glass sponges grow extremely slowly because the cold, deep waters they inhabit offer little food. Scientists value them not only for their longevity but also for their structures, which channel water efficiently. Engineers studying these lattices have drawn ideas for designing strong yet lightweight materials.