All corals are animals, but like lichens on land, which are part fungi and part algae, they have a...
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Transcript of All corals are animals, but like lichens on land, which are part fungi and part algae, they have a...
CORAL REEF ECOSYSTEMS
All corals are animals, but like lichens on land, which are part fungi and part algae, they have
a symbiotic relationship with algae. Most corals contain symbiotic algae called
zooxanthellae (note: pronounced zo-zan-thel-ee), within their tissues. The coral provides
the algae with protection and the compounds it needs to carry out photosynthesis. In
return, the zooxanthellae are the corals’ ‘solar panels,’ providing the reef building corals with
enough energy to extract calcium from the seawater to build their skeletons quickly. The zooxanthellae use sunlight for photosynthesis
and produce oxygen and sugars which the corals can use. This symbiosis is so successful that fast-growing species of corals can grow
up to 20 cm (8 inches) per year.
WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP IS THIS?
SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP
Many other coral reef animals, including sea anemones, soft corals, and giant clams, also have symbiotic relationships with these algae and
with each other.