Corals 1

Corals are

• tiny plant organisms that live in clear ocean waters

• small marine animal organisms

• colourful calcium carbonate marine rock formations

• none of the above

What is the relationship between corals and zooxanthellae?

• zooxanthellae grow on the corals and protect them from extreme sunlight

• zooxanthellae grow at the expense of the corals

• corals provide food for zooxanthellae when they photosynthesize

• corals receive their energy from the zooxanthellae

Corals seem to grow best in

• warm, shallow salt water in high wave energy areas

• clear, clean fresh waters of the tropics

• warm, clear, nutrient rich waters of the ocean

• cool, clear and calm waters

In order for coral reefs to thrive the sea water must me warm

• True

• False

Coral will thrive in an area near the mouth of a river.

• True

• False

Coral reefs provide all of the following benefits EXCEPT

• Protection against storm waves

• Materials for paper manufacturing

• Medicinal substances for the pharmaceutical industry

• A source of food and livelihood

Coral reefs help protect our beaches.

• True

• False

Zooxanthellae are essential to reef-building corals because they:

• Help in the deposition of the calcium-carbonate skeleton

• Provide the coral with carbon dioxide

• Provide the coral with protection from predators

• Provide the coral with protection from predators

Which of the following is not used directly by corals for nutrition

• Mesenterial filaments

• Mucus

• Photosynthesis

• Tentacles

Why are reef-building corals limited to shallow waters? 

• Salinity varies less in shallow water

• Zooxanthellae need light for photosynthesis

• Calcium carbonate is only available in shallow water

• Nutrients concentrate in shallow water