What animal is responsible for building tropical reefs? What is ...

[Jkov05]

What animal is responsible for building tropical reefs? What is the term for this behavior? What kind of symbiosis occurs within the tissues of these organisms?

Question 2

On high-energy shores, ____ does most of the erosional work.
 A) wave action
  B) the tidal range
  C) alternate freezing and thawing of coastal cliffs
  D) prevailing wind

[kaylee05]

Answer to Question 1

 Coral animals are responsible for the building of reefs. Corals are the polyp varieties of the phylum cnidaria. They are radial symmetric and have stinging cells called cnidoblasts on their tentacles.
 These corals are said to be Hermatypic, meaning mound building. They build up the reefs with their aragonite bodies which are enhanced with calcium carbonate. Hermatypic corals occur in warm tropical waters with normal or slightly high salinity.
 Hermatypic corals are also very dependent on light availability due to the symbiotic relationship with a dinoflagellate. These dinoflagellates are called zooxanthellae. They photosynthesize and absorb wastes while in their coral host. The coral provides a stable environment and the carbon dioxide and nutrients needed by the zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae are able to share oxygen and carbohydrates with the coral.

Answer to Question 2

A

[Jkov05]

Thank you!

[kaylee05]

Always glad to help...