Coral Reefs

Question 1

Where are coral reefs found in the world?

Answer 1

There found along coastlines in the Tropical and Subtropical regions.

Question 2

What compound is released but the skeleton of a coral polyp?

Answer 2

The skeleton of the coral polyp secretes calcium carbonate.

Question 3

What is the relationship between coral polyps and zooxanthellae?

Answer 3

Zooxanthellae live within the tissue of the coral polyp which gives corals their color and provides them with nutrition .

Question 4

What is the role of the coral polyp in the relationship?

Answer 4

The polyps provide protection and constant supply of CO2 to the zooxanthellae through respiration

Question 5

What is the role of zooxanthellae in the relationship?

Answer 5

Uses the sunlight & carbon dioxide to carry out photosynthesis which produces oxygen &afoot needed by the polyps.

Question 6

Describe how coral reefs feed.

Answer 6

They feed by first killing their prey I with their nematocysts,which shoot poison spears into the zooplankton which are used as food and are then passed to the mouth by the tentacles.

Question 7

Give two examples of the coral poypls prey.

Answer 7

Their prey are small fish and zooplankton.

Question 8

List and explain the abiotic factors that affect the growth of coral reefs.

Answer 8

The abiotic factors that affect the growing of the coral reefs are:

Light: greatly affects photosynthetic rates of the zooxanthellae,which impacts coral growth and survival.

Temperature: affects coral reefs growth best in temperatures between 73-77 F (23-25 C).

Sedimentation: affects the coral reefs in a negative way which is done by reducing available light which result in preventing symbiotic algae from photosynthesizing.

Salinity: also affects coral reefs in a negative way by lowering salinities which may result in causing excessive mucous release and the loss zooxanthellae.

Question 9

Name the four main types of reefs:

Answer 9

They are:

• Fringing
• Patch
• Barrier
• Atolls

Question 10

Give two types of corals.

Answer 10

The two type of corals are soft and hard corals.

Question 11

What are the difference between hard an soft corals?

Answer 11

The difference is that soft corals are made up of Gorgonians & Black corals while hard corals are made of calcium carbonate.