Critical Biotic/Biotic Interaction Explain the symbiotic relationship that most

Question

Critical Biotic/Biotic Interaction Explain the symbiotic relationship that most reef building corals require by answering the following questions: What type of organism lives with the coral? ______ Is it an endosymbiont (one that lives within tissues of the other organism)? ______ What type of biotic-biotic relationship is this? (commensalism?, parasitism?, etc) _____ What (all) does the coral receive from the relationship? _______ What (all) does the other organism receive from the relationship? _________ What happens when the relationship is lost? (You should answer this question with more than one word. Really explain. Answer the following: Is the coral healthier? Does it grow better? Reproduce better? Is it at risk? What is the condition called when this happens?)

Explanation / Answer

1.The type of organism that lives with the coral is zooxanthellae.

2.Yes, it is an endosymbiont.

3.The relationship is known as symbiosis in which both the organisms benefit from each other.

4.The coral recieves nutrients in form of fixed carbon compounds from the zooxanthella (prepares via photosynthesis.)which provides energy to the corals and enhances its calcification process.

5.The other organism i.e zooxanthellae receives shelter from the corals.Also, they receive carbon dioxide and ammonium from the corals to carry out photosynthesis.

6.When the relationship is lost, the corals become starved, bleached and discoloured (white in color).The coral is not healthier as it is deprived of food supplied by zooxanthellae.No, it does not grow better and does not reproduce better as well.Yes,it is at risk.This condition is known as Coral bleaching.

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