Coral Reefs and Cnidarians

Front

What is the primary diet of cnidarians?

Back

Small fish and plankton.

Front

True or False: Fish, shrimp, and other small animals live among the tentacles of large sea anemones.

Back

True.

Front

What class does the Portuguese Man O' War belong to?

Back

Hydrozoa.

Front

What are the factors necessary for coral reef formation?

Back

Suitable temperature, substrate and salinity, suitable water depth, and water clarity.

Front

What is a ring-shaped reef called?

Back

Atoll.

Front

Define cnidarians.

Back

Cnidarians are a group of animals that include jellyfish, corals, and sea anemones, characterized by their stinging cells called cnidocytes.

Front

What are the main types of coral reefs?

Back

Fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and atolls.

Front

What role do zooxanthellae play in coral reefs?

Back

Zooxanthellae are symbiotic algae that live within coral tissues and provide energy through photosynthesis.

Front

What is the significance of coral reefs in marine ecosystems?

Back

Coral reefs provide habitat, food, and breeding grounds for many marine species, and they protect coastlines from erosion.

Front

What is the difference between hard and soft corals?

Back

Hard corals have a calcium carbonate skeleton and contribute to reef building, while soft corals lack a rigid skeleton and are more flexible.