Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

Coral Reefs

What are Coral Reefs?

  Coral is made up of tiny, spineless animals called polyps. Thousands of the polyps live together, forming coral colonies. These polyps secrete layers of limestone. When coral die, the limestone skeleton remains. New polyps live on top of the limestone skeletons. Over the years, the coral reef grows.

   Coral reefs need sunlight in order to survive, so they are usually found in shallow water near the coast. Also, coral reefs must have war mater temperatures. Because of this, coral reefs are usually found near the equator where the water temperature remains between 70- and 85-degrees Fahrenheit all year long. 

    Coral Reef Plants and Animals  Coral reefs are home to a HUGE variety of plants and animals because of the food and shelter they provide. Some animals spend their entire lives in coral reefs, protecting themselves from predators by hiding in the coral. Other animals travel through the ocean but stop in coral reefs in search of food. M Coral reefs are home to sea slugs, shrimp, clams, coral, plankton, seahorses, sponges, sea anemones) But the main plants you will find in coral reefs are algae

Plant and Animal Adaptations

Fish have several adaptations to help them survive in coral reefs for example, fish that spend their lives in coral reefs have flat bodies, making it easy to make sharp turns and maneuver around coral reefs quickly. Coral reef fish are also much more brightly colored than fish that don't spend their lives in coral reefs  Scientists believe that this adaptation helps them camouflage with the brightly colored coral, find mates, and protect themselves by warning  predators away.

    Other plants and animals have adapted to coral reefs by forming a symbiotic relationship.  Symbiosis occurs when two different species help each other and are dependent on each other for survival. For example, goby fish and pistol shrimp work together. Pistol shrimp burrow into the ocean floor. This burrow provides protection as well as helps the shrimp find food.  Gobies use the  burrows that the shrimp dig for food and protection as well. In exchange, gobies are a lookout for the pistol shrimp, as these shrimps have terrible eyesight. If a predator is coming, the goby will warn the shrimp, and they both hide in the burrow!     

     Coral also have symbiotic relationships with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae that lives inside of coral. These algae plants provide much needed nutrients for the coral, while the coral offers protection for the tiny algae.                                                                                       

Threats to Coral Reefs                                                                              It takes thousands of years for a coral reef to develop, but they can be destroyed very quickly. When hurricanes or cyclones occur, they produce large waves that can flatten an entire coral reef. Changes in water temperature can be devastating to coral reefs as well, since they require warm water temperatures. The biggest threats to coral reefs, however, are people. Pollution and

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 irresponsible fishing have caused a lot of damage. Careless people can also hurt    coral by trampling on the coral or taking fish and coral out of their habitats.

Multiple Choice

1. Look at the title, headings, and pictures. What is this reading passage mainly about?

• A. The animals that live in the ocean

• B. The animals and plants that live on coral reefs

• C. The Plants that are in the ocean

• D. That coral reefs can be formed on land with not water

Multiple Choice

2. Reread the section with the heading "What are Coral Reefs?" Explain how coral reefs get bigger.

• A. Coral reefs grow bigger by eating all of their vegetables

• B. Coral reefs grow bigger by eating other plants

• C. Coral reefs grow bigger by eating animals

• D. Coral reefs need sunlight and warm water to grow and survive

Multiple Choice

3. Reread the section with the heading "What are Coral Reefs?" Where are coral reefs found?

• A. Coral reefs need sunlight, so they are usually found shallow water

• B. Coral reefs are found in shallow water, but do not need sunlight

• C. Coral reefs are found in underwater caves and get no sunlight

• D. Coral reefs are found on the beach with a lot of sunlight

Multiple Choice

4. Reread the section with the heading "Coral Reef Plants and Animals'.' Why do you think the author wrote the word "huge" in all capital letters?

• A. The coral reef is very small

• B. The coral reef is of an average size

• C. The coral reef is very big

• D. Is very tiny

Multiple Choice

7. Reread the section with the heading "Threats to Coral Reefs'.' How can hurricanes hurt coral reefs?

• A. Hurricanes hurt coral reefs by producing large waves that can flatten coral reefs.

• B. Hurricanes hurt coral reefs by producing small waves that can flatten coral reefs.

• C. Hurricanes cannot hurt coral reefs by producing large waves

• D. Hurricanes hurt coral reefs by producing large bubbles that can flatten coral reefs.

Multiple Choice

8.The author organized this tet by using

• Description

• Compare and contrast

• Sequential order

• Problem and Solution

Multiple Choice

5. Reread the section with the heading" Plant and Animal Adaptations” How does having a fiat body help fish in a coral reef?

• A. To swim easily in the open ocean

• B. To make quick turns while swimming around coral reefs

• C. To show how they are shaped

• D. To show how the escape a predator

Multiple Choice

6. Reread the section with the heading" Plant and Animal Adaptations'.' How do goby fish and pistol shrimp help each other?

• A. Goby fish and pistol shrimp help each other by giving each other food.

• B. Goby fish and pistol shrimp help each other by giving food to other plants and animals.

• C. Goby fish and pistol shrimp help each other by not helping each other at all.

• D. Goby fish and pistol shrimp help each other by using the hole the shrimp dug for food and acting as a look out.