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Features of a Coral Polyp. Grade 3 Unit 3 Lesson 2. Corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria. Medusa or polyp body forms as adults. Stinging cells called nematocysts. Only one body cavity with a single opening. Reef coral is made of many small individual animals called polyps. What’s a polyp?.
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Features of a Coral Polyp Grade 3 Unit 3 Lesson 2
Corals belong to the phylum Cnidaria Medusa or polyp body forms as adults Stinging cells called nematocysts Only one body cavity with a single opening
Reef coral is made of many small individual animals called polyps.
What’s a polyp? tentacle • The basic body form of a coral animal • Structure like a sac with two walls of cells • The open end bears the mouth, which is surrounded by tentacles mouth/anus gastrodermis gastrovascularcavity mesoglea body stalk epidermis
Coral as Predators Coral must eat - it’s a consumer! Nematocysts are used to sting, catch, and kill prey
Coral Reproduction: Budding
Coral Reproduction: Broadcast Spawning
Is it a plant? It has a plant living inside it! • Polyps have symbiotic algae, called zooxanthellae living in their cells • Zooxanthellae make food for the polyp through photosynthesis
Symbiosis:coral & zooxanthellae • symbiosis: a close relationship between two organisms usually based on food • If the zooxanthellae feeds the coral, what does the zooxanthellae get out of the relationship?
Is it a rock? It’s a type of rock! Coral polyps make a stony structure out of calcium carbonate in which they live
Common Hawaiian Coral 1 Rice Coral Lobe Coral Antler Coral Cauliflower Coral Finger coral
More Hawaiian Coral Mushroom Coral Black Coral Table Coral
Coral is in danger Ocean water is getting warmer When water gets too warm, zooxanthellae leave the coral tissue When zooxanthellae leave, corals lose their color AND food supply CoralBleaching
Coral is in danger:Human Impacts on Coral • Aquarium/Souvenir Trade • Overfishing • Pollution • Tourism
Hawaiian coral needs your protection • It has no voice • Speak up to educate others about our beautiful coral