Corals and Coral Reefs

In general terms, what do coral reefs provide?

(Food, habitat, tourism, protection, source of medicine)

What is an individual coral animal? in a colony polyps, how are they related?

A individual coral is called a Polyp, they are all related because they're all clones of each other.

Identify one threat to corals by another organism. How do humans influence the balance between these organisms and corals?

Alien invasive species; introducing foreign species into the ocean OR crown of thorns sea stars.

How do corals reproduce?

Asexually and sexually.

Which greenhouse gas is used by corals to produce reefs?

Carbon dioxide combined with calcium and water to produce calcium carbonate.

Provide details for 2 of the areas (what is provided?how? who benefits?)

Coral reefs provide a home for many fish, contains a wide variety of environments, tourism for local communities, unique chemicals for medical research.

Are corals vertebrates or invertebrates? Do they have a skeleton? explain

Corals are invertebrates, their skeletons are on the outside.

What are the distinguishing characteristics of the group that includes coral?

Corals belong to the group which has a mouth, simple stomach, and stinging tentacles.

What are the conditions needed for a healthy coral reef?

Corals need warm water, clear water and sunlight.

What effect does this greenhouse gas have on the ocean?

Excessive carbon dioxide acidifies the ocean making it harder for corals to to form calcium carbonate.

What type of coral build reefs?

Hard coral builds reefs.

What is the composition of reefs formed by hard corals?

Hard coral creates reefs out of calcium carbonate.

How are corals impacted by climate change?

Higher sea temperature= coral bleaching more carbon dioxide= ocean acidification ocean acidification= can't form calcium carbonate skeleton

Where are coral reefs found?

In tropical, well-lit waters. (warm currents)

Are all algae good for corals?

Not all algae, if a coral dies and its covered in algae it cannot reseed.

What is a direct threat to coral reefs from humans? Provide details (what is the threat? what is the affect on the coral reef? why does it occur?)

Over fishing= destroys the balance of the ecosystem anchors= physical destruction to the coral reefs suncreen= greater chances of bleaching.

How fast do corals grow?

Slower corals (most)= 0.5-2cm a year.

What types of coral can be found throughout the world?

Soft corals can be found throughout the world.

What is the only living structure that is visible from space?

The Great Barrier Reef.

Can corals recover from bleaching? how?

The coral can recover by combining with the zooxanthellae this can only happen if stress is completely reduced.

What is bleaching? list 3 causes

When the water is too warm corals will let go of zooxanthellae (color) which causes stress and loses color. (high water tempature) (high radiation) (pollution)

Why are corals colorful?

Zooxanthellae and being exposed to more sunlight.

In what two ways do corals obtain food to survive? which is more dominant?

Zooxanthellae provides most of their nutrition and by capturing their prey with their stinging tentacles.

What are zooxanthellae? what is the source of their energy? what is the relationship between coral & zooxanthellae?

zootxanthellae are algae that has a symbiotic relationship with coral polyps. The algae lives in the polyp's tissue (zooxanthellae gets energy from the sun)