Apologia module 11 coral reefs | Baamboozle - Baamboozle

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coral reef ecosystems

Study Slideshow

what is an Atoll?

is a ring-shaped coral reef including a coral rim that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.

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What does Leeward mean?

The side that is sheltered from the wind. Opposite is windward 

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What is a Spicule?

internal limestone spine that give soft coral rigidity

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What is a Coenosarc?

a thin skinned tissue that connects the digestive systems of coral polyps together.

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What is Coralline Algae?

an algae that creates a hard substrate over sediment and rubble, creating a hard substrate for coral to grow on

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How does the “Coreolis effect” affect reef formation? 

It pushes cooler polar air into tropical regions, such as the western coast of south American and Africa.

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List the three regions of a fringe reef from the seaward side to the land and describe then.

1. fore reef slope,very steep2reef crest.Most coral growth. >light and currents wash away sediment3.reef flat-often exposed exposed during low tide,..

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Why doesn't seaweed over grow a coral reef?

The area is a low nutrient area, and predators eat it (over growth can occur from fertilizer run off or a lack of predators)

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How does and atoll form?

1underwater volcano/seamount.2.coral begins to grow on hard surfaces,3.dormant volcano sinks.4. leaving behind a fringing reef-barrier reef-atoll.

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What three conditions are needed for coral to grow?

1. hard substrate, 2. warm water, 3. sunlight   

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What are the two major primary producers on a coral reef? 

Zooxanthellae and seaweed 

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 What is this pattern called and what causes it?

Spur and Groove, strong winds and currents cause it.

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Why do corals produce mucous?

To trap food and bring it to their mouth, protection from desiccation, pathogens, to trap sediment and send it away from their mouth.

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Where is an algal ridge located and what creates it?

It is made up of coralline algae. It is on the windward side of an atoll because it can withstand the wind and waves. It can grow up to the surface of the water

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Why do corals and other organisms flourish in clear warm waters where there is scarce nutritional plankton?

The reef makes the best use of its resources, such as recycling wastes.Making it nearly self sufficient - mutualistic relationships make for an efficient habit

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 What is the cup shaped calcium skeleton that a coral polyp sits in called?

Corallite cup

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