coral reefs

Question 1

who are coral reefs related to

Answer 1

jelly fish and sea anemone

Question 2

where do coral reefs dominate

Answer 2

shallow tropical waters

Question 3

what do coral reefs provide

Answer 3

ecosystem

Question 4

what is the dominate organism

Answer 4

hard coral

Question 5

what is each coral known as

Answer 5

polyp

Question 6

describe the structure of the hard coral

Answer 6

secrets a cup like skeleton made of calcium carbonate into which it can withdraw

Question 7

what do the coral reefs form

Answer 7

a million form a dense colony of connected organisms as they grow their skeletons gives rise to a reef community

Question 8

how do coral reefs catch their prey

Answer 8

their mouth is surrounded by tentacles containing a stinging cells called nematocysts to paralyse their prey

Question 9

what is the prey of the coral reefs

Answer 9

zooplankton
microscopic marine animals

Question 10

are coral reefs herbivores carnivores or omnivores

Answer 10

carnivores

Question 11

what lives within the tissue of the polyp

Answer 11

zooxanthellae
microscopic algae

Question 12

what is the purpose of zooxanthellae

Answer 12

have a symbiotic relationship with the coral which is mutualistic

Question 13

how does the zooxanthellae help the coral

Answer 13

help with nutrition of coral and its ability to form its calcium carbonate skeleton

Question 14

how does the coral help the zooxanthellae

Answer 14

provides a habitat
use waste product of corals as raw materials for photosynthesis

Question 15

how do corals reproduce

Answer 15

asexually and sexually

Question 16

how does asexual reproduction occur

Answer 16

environment factors are suitable and new individual buds form from each parent polyp resulting in increased size of the colony

Question 17

how does sexual reproduction occur

Answer 17

sperm are released into the water and are drawn into the cavity of another polyp
Fertilised eggs develop within cavity and result in the formation of free swimming planula larvae which are released into the water
Planulae move through water for a short time before settling on an appropriate hard substrate

Question 18

what does sexual reproduction result in

Answer 18

dispersion of various coral species and the colonisation of new areas

Question 19

what temperature is required for optimal growth of coral reefs

Answer 19

23-25

Question 20

what do coral reefs not tolerate

Answer 20

long exposure to air

Question 21

what depth do they stop growing at and why

Answer 21

below 50-70 m as their symbiotic algae need sunlight for photosynthesis

Question 22

why do coral reefs not settle in areas of high sedimentation

Answer 22

sediment settling on coral reefs interferes with their feeding mechanisms

Question 23

how does high wave action assist coral reefs

Answer 23

oxygenates water, brings in fresh food supplies and helps to remove any settled sediment

Question 24

what are other animals associated with corals

Answer 24

Soft coral such as sea fans and sea whips and other sedentary organisms such as sea anemones grow attached to the hard reef skeleton
Echinoderms like sea urchin and starfish abundant
Crustaceans as well such as spiny lobster and crabs
A variety of reef fish seek shelter among crevices of the reef and their brilliant colours serve as species identification

Question 25

list 5 benefits of coral reefs

Answer 25

Coral reefs generate income from tourism and fishing
Generate food - reef fish (groupers, snappers and grunts) and reef creatures (lobster and conch)
Contribute greatly to white sand typical of caribbean beaches
Protect coastline from erosion by acting as breakwaters
Home to about million different animal species such as turtles sea anemone clown fish starfish

Question 26

list five dangers to coral reefs

Answer 26

Invasion of reef by man however can damage the corals amd result in the death of a number of species by breaking off pieces making jewellery
Reefs can be severely affected by tropical storms and hurricanes whose powerful forces can destroy even solid reef structure
Explosions of populations of coral reef predators such as crown of thorn starfish (acanthaster planci) in the pacific have also caused serious damage
Major destroyer of coral reefs is man
Boat anchors pull away the structure of the reef