Questions and Answers
What are reef-building corals classified as?
What is the name given to coral larvae?
Planula
Why are Zooxanthellae essential to reef-building corals?
They help in the deposition of the calcium-carbonate skeleton.
What is a primary requirement for coral reef development?
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Which process is not used directly by corals for nutrition?
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Why do reef-building corals grow only in shallow water?
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What is the expulsion of Zooxanthellae due to unfavorable conditions called?
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What is the most common type of coral reefs around the world?
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In a typical fringing reef, where is most of the living coral found?
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Where do fringing and barrier reefs develop?
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What is an important distinction between barrier and fringing reefs?
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Atolls actually start as what type of reef?
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What competitive advantage do soft corals have over reef corals?
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What do the sweeper tentacles of corals contain?
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What area of a fringing coral reef is most likely to be affected by sedimentation?
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Coral reefs are known for their high level of what in comparison to other ocean areas?
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Which stage of coral reef development is the latest on volcanic islands?
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Coral reefs are the "Rainforests" of the ocean. They have a high _______ that serves as a storage bank of rich genetic resources.
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Corals prefer ______ water.
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Coral prefer ______ water.
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Where is the greatest diversity of coral found?
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Which of the following might stress coral? Check all that apply.
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If the symbiotic algae die, what color does the coral turn?
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Once damaged, coral will never recover.
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A slight rise in maximum water temperatures can stress the corals. This causes them to expel the microscopic organisms, known as ______, which color their tissues.
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If these ______ do not return, the _____ will die.
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Corals are a group of ______ that indicates the presence of ______ material embedded in the living tissue.
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Corals are ______ animals that feed by reaching out with ______ to catch prey.
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As much as ______% of the organic material they manufacture photosynthetically is transferred to the host coral tissue.
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Study Notes
Coral Classification and Definitions
- Reef-building corals are known as hermatypic.
- Coral larvae are referred to as planula.
- Zooxanthellae are crucial for corals as they assist in forming the calcium-carbonate skeleton.
Coral Reef Development Requirements
- Hard substrate is essential for coral reef formation.
- Coral reefs primarily develop in shallow waters due to the light requirements of zooxanthellae for photosynthesis.
Coral Nutrition and Growth
- Corals do not directly use photosynthesis for nutrition.
- The expulsion of zooxanthellae under stressful conditions leads to a phenomenon called bleaching.
- Most living coral in a fringing reef is located on the reef slope.
Types of Coral Reefs
- Fringing reefs are the most common type globally, developing adjacent to coastlines.
- Barrier reefs grow further out from shore compared to fringing reefs.
- Atolls originate from fringing reefs, later transforming as the surrounding land erodes.
Competition and Adaptations
- Soft corals have a competitive edge over reef corals due to their production of toxic chemicals.
- The tentacles of corals contain nematocysts, which are used for capturing prey.
Ecological Importance of Coral Reefs
- Coral reefs are highly biodiverse areas, often referred to as the "Rainforests" of the ocean.
- They serve as crucial genetic resource banks and offer food and medicinal resources.
- Coral reefs provide protection against wave erosion.
Coral Habitat and Diversity
- Corals thrive in warm, shallow waters, with the highest coral diversity found in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Factors causing stress to corals include high temperatures, ultraviolet light, and other environmental changes.
Coral Health and Recovery
- Coral turns white when the symbiotic zooxanthellae die.
- Contrary to some beliefs, damaged coral can recover over time.
- A rise in water temperature by just 1-2 degrees can lead to coral stress and bleaching.
Understanding Coral Composition
- Coral is a collective term for a group of cnidarians, characterized by skeletal material within living tissue.
- Corals are sessile animals that capture prey using tentacles, primarily targeting small fish and planktonic organisms.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of corals with this quiz covering their classification, development, nutrition, and various types of coral reefs. Test your knowledge on the essential roles of zooxanthellae and the requirements for coral growth. Understand the implications of bleaching and the characteristics of fringing, barrier, and atoll reefs.
