Zooxanthellae and Coral

What % of photosynthetic products is transferred to the host by zoox.?

90 percent of the organic material photosynthetically produced by the zooxanthellae is transferred to the host coral tissue

A random fact? i wanna cry

Because of their intimate relationship with zooxanthellae, reef-building corals respond to the environment like plants.

why do coral require clear water?

Because their algal cells need light for photosynthesis, reef corals require clear water

What are the chemical requirements of zooxanthellae?

CO2 Nitrogen Phosphorous Zooxanthellae can utilise CO2 and Nitrogen excreted by host or take up inorganic forms from the water like Phosphorous.

What type of relationship do coral polyps and zooxanthellae have?

Coral polyps, which are animals, and zooxanthellae, the plant cells that live within them, have a mutualistic relationship.

How do corals and jellyfish control rates of photosynthesis by zoox?

Corals and jellyfish possess enzymes that remove both the oxygen free radicals and hydrogen peroxide. Corals and anemones may expand or contract their tentacles to alter exposure to light. Excess zoox may be digested by host or expelled (bleaching)

What are zooxanthellae?

Dinoflagellate, unicellular algae. Can be free living or symbiotic and occurs in densities of 1-5 million cells/cm2 of host tissue.

What happens to the polyps?

If the polyps go for too long without zooxanthellae, coral bleaching can result in the coral's death.

idk, learn it

Most reef-building corals contain photosynthetic algae, called zooxanthellae, that live in their tissues.

What do they provide for each other?

The coral provides the algae with a protected environment and compounds they need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae produce oxygen and help the coral to remove wastes.

How does their relationship contribute to the water?

The relationship between the algae and coral polyp facilitates a tight recycling of nutrients in nutrient-poor tropical waters.

Why do hosts need to control number of zooxanthellae?

When zooxanthallae are over-productive they produce molecular oxygen which produces free radicals and hydrogen peroxide which is toxic in high concentrations.

interesting paradox

coral reefs require clear, nutrient-poor water, but they are among the most productive and diverse marine environments

Where are reefs found?

reefs are generally found only in waters with small amounts of suspended material, i.e., in water of low turbidity and low productivity.

What do zooxanthellae translocate?

sugars, complex carbohydrates (including fattty acids), amino acids and small peptides. Translocation from zoox. is under biochemical control of the host.

What does the coral do with these products?

the coral uses glucose, glycerol, and amino acids to make proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and produce calcium carbonate

coral bleaching

when corals become physically stressed, the polyps expel their algal cells and the colony takes on a stark white appearance.

Zooxanthellae are responsible for...

zooxanthellae are responsible for the unique and beautiful colors of many stony corals.

What does zooxanthellae supply the coral with?

zooxanthellae supply the coral with glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are the products of photosynthesis