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

. Inside each coral polyp lives a single-celled algae called zooxanthellae.   Coral reefs are the result of mutualisms between coral organisms and various types of algae which live inside them. Commensalism Corals get the food prepared by the algae. The algae gets a space to live and is well protected in the coral. There would be no symbiosis and thus the coral wont get the food and algae will be ruined as it is not protected. Healthy coral provides shelter for many other species of tropical animals that rely on the structure provided by corals for their homes, and others find food that shelters in the crevices of stony corals. It will grow better if it is in a relationship with algae otherwise it will not grow properly. Similarly with the mutualistic relationship with the algae it turns out to be healthy and a healthy coral reproduces in a much better way. Coral reefs are degraded by an accumulation of stress from human activities. Overfishing, pollution and coastal development are high on the list of factors in chronic stress. Some coral reefs are covered with sand and sediments. Others are dredged or blasted for their limestone or to improve access and safety of navigation. In addition to this, the overall long-term changes (higher sea temperatures and CO2 levels), storms, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions also affect coral reefs.Thus corals are at risk.

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