Name Per [1] Coral polyps are tiny, soft-bodied organisms that are the building blocks of coral reefs, some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. These polyps live in colonies, attaching themselves to a substrate and secreting calcium carbonate to form the hard skeleton that serves as the reefs foundation. Each polyp has a simple structure, with a mouth surrounded by tentacles used for capturing plankton. Their tentacles contain stinging cells that can slow down or paralyze their prey. Prey caught by tentacles accounts for about 10-30% of the polyps diet. They rely heavily on another source of energy for survival. [2] Coral polyps share a vital symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called zooxanthellae, which live within the coral's tissues. These algae photosynthesize, converting sunlight into sugars and oxygen that the polyps use as their primary energy source. In retum, the coral provides the algae with shelter and nutrients in the form of waste products like carbon dioxide and ammonium. This relationship not only sustains the coral but also gives reefs their vibrant colors and supports the productivity of the entire reef ecosystem. [3] Zooxanthellae are highly sensitive to changes in their environment, particularly to factors that alter the delicate balance they maintain with coral polyps. Elevated sea surface temperatures are the most common trigger for stress in zooxanthellae. When water temperatures rise just 1-2C above the typical maximum for an extended period, the algae's photosynthetic processes become disrupted. This disruption leads to the production of harmful reactive compounds, which can damage both the algae and the coral's tissues. To protect itself, the coral expels the stressed zooxanthellae from its tissues, resulting in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. Other environmental factors, such as increased ocean acidification, high levels of solar radiation, water pollution, and sedimentation, can also cause stress on zooxanthellae. These combined conditions increase the likelihood of bleaching events, often overwhelming the coral's ability to recover. [4] When corals expel their zooxanthellae due to these stressors, the immediate effects on the reef are Date Assignment Instructions: Read the information on the leit side of this page, and follow the instructions here to complete the assignment. 1. Reading Assignment: Coral Bleaching Highlight 3 words trom paragraph [1] that describe the structure of a coral. Describe what the tentacles of a coral polyp are used for. Underline the specific materials that the zooxanthellae provide for the coral and that the coral provides for the zooxanthellae. Write a one sentence summary of the main idea of paragraph [2]. Explain why the corals may expel the zooxanthellae. List 4 environmental changes that stress zooxanthellae. Ld Explain why the loss of the zooxanthellae is detrimental to the survival of the coral