Coral Web Activity
Date ______
Name ____________________
Use the following website to view a tutorial on coral. Use the menu on the right side of the page to view the
different topics and answer the questions.
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/tutorial_corals/welcome.html
What are Corals?
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1. Why are corals considered to be colonial organisms?
2. Label the following structures in the diagram of the coral polyp to the right.
 Mouth
 Stomach
 Tentacles
3. What is the function of the coral’s tentacles?
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4. Using your notes, determine if corals would be considered deposit feeders or suspension feeders. Explain
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your answer.
Zooxanthellae. . . What’s That?
5. Explain the mutualistic relationship that exists between coral and zooxanthellae.
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6. Using your ecology notes, explain why the relationship between the coral and the zooxanthellae is
considered to be mutualistic.
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7. What percentage of the energy and nutrients that is produced by
zooxanthellae is passed on the coral?
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8. What is “coral bleaching?” How can coral bleaching result in the death
of the coral?
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Date ______
Coral Web Activity
Name ____________________
How Do Coral Reefs Form?
Click on the image to view an animation of the formation of different coral reefs.
9. Differentiate between the following types of reefs.
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a. Fringing Reef:
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b. Barrier Reef:
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c. Atoll:
10. How long does it take for a coral reef to form?
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Importance of Coral Reefs
11. Give three reasons why corals reefs are important to humans?
a.
b.
c.
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Natural Threats to Coral Reefs
12. Explain two natural threats that are exceptional dangerous to corals living in shallow water.
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13. What is the name of the organism to the right? Explain the importance of
the organism in coral reefs.
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Anthropogenic Threats to Corals
14. What does “Anthropogenic” mean?
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Date ______
Coral Web Activity
Name ____________________
15. Explain how each of the following has damaged coral reefs . . .

Pollution:

Petroleum (Oil) Spills:

The Aquarium and Jewelry Trade: _____________________________________________
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
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Fishing: