With reference to the Coral reefs, consider the following statements:1...
1. Corals are marine invertebrates or animals not possessing a spine:
Yes, this statement is correct. Corals are marine invertebrates, which means they are animals that do not possess a spine or backbone. They belong to the phylum Cnidaria, which also includes jellyfish and sea anemones. Corals are known for their hard exoskeletons made of calcium carbonate, which provides support and protection.
2. Corals share a symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae:
Yes, this statement is also correct. Corals have a unique symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae. This relationship is mutually beneficial, where both the coral polyps and the zooxanthellae benefit from each other's presence.
- Symbiotic Relationship: A symbiotic relationship is a close and long-term interaction between two different species, where both species benefit from each other. In the case of corals and zooxanthellae, this symbiotic relationship is known as mutualism.
- Zooxanthellae: Zooxanthellae are photosynthetic algae that live within the tissues of coral polyps. They are single-celled organisms that belong to the dinoflagellate group. These algae have the ability to photosynthesize and produce food through the process of photosynthesis.
- Mutualistic Relationship: The corals provide a protected environment and access to sunlight for the zooxanthellae, which is necessary for their photosynthesis. In return, the zooxanthellae provide the corals with nutrients, including glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are byproducts of their photosynthesis.
- Importance of the Symbiotic Relationship: This symbiotic relationship is crucial for the survival and growth of coral reefs. The photosynthetic activity of zooxanthellae provides a significant portion of the energy and nutrients required by the coral polyps. It allows corals to thrive in nutrient-poor tropical waters.
In conclusion, both statements are correct. Corals are marine invertebrates without a spine, and they have a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae. This relationship plays a vital role in the survival and growth of coral reefs.
With reference to the Coral reefs, consider the following statements:1...
Scientists working on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef have successfully trialled a new method for freezing and storing coral larvae they say could eventually help rewild reefs threatened by climate change. The Great Barrier Reef has suffered four bleaching events in the last seven years, including the first ever bleach during a La Nina phenomenon, which typically brings cooler temperatures.
- Corals are marine invertebrates or animals not possessing a spine.
- Each coral is called a polyp and thousands of such polyps live together to form a colony, which grows when polyps multiply to make copies of themselves.
- Corals share a symbiotic relationship with single-celled algae called zooxanthellae.
- The algae provides the coral with food and nutrients, which they make through photosynthesis, using the sun’s light.
- In turn, the corals give the algae a home and key nutrients. The zooxanthellae also give corals their bright colour.
- Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef system stretching across 2,300 km.
- It hosts 400 different types of coral, gives shelter to 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc.
Coral Bleaching:
- Coral Bleaching happens when corals experience stress in their environment due to changes in temperature, pollution or high levels of ocean acidity.
- Under stressed conditions, the zooxanthellae or food-producing algae living inside coral polyps start producing reactive oxygen species, which are not beneficial to the corals.
- So, the corals expel the colour-giving zooxanthellae from their polyps, which exposes their pale white exoskeleton, giving the corals a bleached appearance.
- This also ends the symbiotic relationship that helps the corals to survive and grow.
What Causes Coral Bleaching?
- Change in Ocean Temperature: Increased Ocean temperature caused by climate change is the leading cause of coral bleaching.
- Runoff and Pollution: Storm generated precipitation can rapidly dilute ocean water and runoff can carry pollutants, which can bleach near shore corals.
- Overexposure to sunlight: When temperatures are high, high solar irradiance contributes to bleaching in shallow water corals.
- Extremely low tides: Exposure to the air during extremely low tides can cause bleaching in shallow corals.
Hence both statements are correct.
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