Anatomy
Located at the center of the oral disk and expels waste and obtains food
Mouth
Most common reef type; grow near coastlines and are separated from shore by narrow lagoons
Fringing Reef
With its grooved, maze-like surface and nearly perfect radial form, this aptly named coral looks like it could double as a model for a human organ
Symmetrical brain coral
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Yellow pencil coral
What are coral skeletons made of?
Aragonite a form of calcium carbonate
Gelatinous substance used to aid in food capture, protection, and removing sediments and waste
Mucus
Often reach the water's surface creating a blockage to passage. Runs parallel to coastlines with deep, wide lagoons
Barrier Reef
A common Gorgonian octocoral found in the Caribbean and other parts of the Atlantic. Keeps its color and maintains its flexibility, even when dead.
Purple sea fan
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Ten ray star coral
What phylum are corals in?
Cnidaria
Tiny plant cell that provides the coral with food through photosynthesis
Zooxanthellae
Small, isolated reefs that grow from the bottom of the island platform. Vary in size and often don't reach the surface of the water.
Patch reefs
Form massive boulders in shallow or moderate depths. Found throughout most reef environments have have large polyps covering its surface
Greater star coral
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Golf ball coral
What type of symmetry do corals have?
radial symmetry
Stinging cells that contain neurotoxin and can cause paralysis in tiny organisms
Cnidocyte
Rings of corals that create protected lagoons and are often located in the middle of a sea
Atoll
Exhibit similar characteristics to most hard corals, but is more closely related to hydrozoans, hence their sting. Often bright yellow or yellow-orange.
Fire coral
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Blushing star coral
Corals are related to Portuguese man- o-war, True or False
Basal disk / plate
Small, rounded reefs that extend to the sea surface and have waves continuously breaking over them making the water froth
Boiler Reef
bright yellow or yellow-green in color with a lumpy, porous set of corallites that look like the surface of an asteroid.
Mustard hill coral
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How many million years ago does the fossil record show that Scleractinian corals evolve?
240 MYA