Coral and algae (specifically the algae called zooxanthellae) have an intimate symbiotic relationship. The algae live inside the coral, and provide it with sugars and other photosynthesis byproducts. The coral provides the algae with nutrients for photosynthesis and a safe place to live and reproduce.
Coral polyps provide a home and nutrients for algae through photosynthesis, while the algae provide oxygen and essential nutrients to the coral polyps through their waste. This mutualistic relationship, known as coral-algae symbiosis, helps both organisms thrive in nutrient-poor ocean environments.
Algae
The symbiotic relationship between coral polyps and zooxanthellae is called mutualistic, as both organisms benefit from the partnership. Zooxanthellae provide energy through photosynthesis to the coral polyps, while the coral provides shelter and nutrients to the zooxanthellae.
It's a mutualistic symbiosis, and occours in corals, jellyfishes and other polyps.* The symbionts, called zoochlorellae if they are green algae or zooxanthellae if they are protozoans, with photosynthesis produce: # Sugars, wich can feed the host up to 90% of its energy request. # Oxygen. * The cnidarian (coral, jellyfish or hydropolyp) gives to zoochlorellae (or to zooxanthellae) his products of waste: # CO2 (which decreasing helps hermatypic corals forming their skeletons) # Minerals. # Nitrogen. In order to perform photosynthesis, zoochlorellae and zooxanthellae need light, so they can stay only in shallow waters.
The algae helps the coral by producing oxygen and other nutrients that are required by the coral. The coral produces carbon dioxide for the algae as well as other substances the algae requires.
In theory....no, the hair algae doesnt kill corals, what does kill the coral is hair algae growing profusely next to it preventing the coral extending its polyps and getting sun light. Algae can cover the 'mat' of some species of coral such as xenia and star polyps also preventing the polyps from extending and getting nutrients and sunlight. = = Another possibility is that some conditions that favor algae may not favor the life of the coral such as temperature of the wate and pH of the water.
Coral polyps are tiny animals that build protective calcium carbonate skeletons around themselves. Coral polyps create the basic structure of coral reefs with the help of single-celled algae.
Coral have a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, photosynthetic algae that live inside the coral's tissues and provide energy through photosynthesis. Coral polyps also form partnerships with tiny organisms called zooxanthellae, which live inside their tissues and give corals their vibrant colors. Additionally, some species of fish, such as clownfish, have a mutualistic relationship with coral where they seek shelter among the coral branches and protect the coral from predators in exchange for a safe habitat.
When a coral polyp is formed it takes in the algae and the algae carries onto photosynthesis inside the coral. The algae later helps the coral change calcium salts in seawater into a hard calcium carbonate structure that makes up a coral reef. Without the algae helping to create calcium carbonate, a coral reef wouldn't have it's nice structure.
Yes, Coral Polyps are herbivores.
Coral is not a carnivore. Coral is a marine invertebrate that obtains most of its nutrition from a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which live inside the coral's tissues and provide energy through photosynthesis.
Oh, isn't that just lovely? When coral and algae work together in harmony, it's called a mutualistic relationship. They both give and receive, creating a beautiful and thriving ecosystem in the ocean. Just like how we can all support and uplift each other to create something truly special.