Question

In many coral species, the coral polyps obtain additional nutrition by harboring photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae receive some protection from predation by being inside the coral tissue as well as some nutrients from the corals' waste but the algae are able to survive outside of the coral. The corals however will die if they lose their zooxanthellae for extended periods of time which can occur if the corals are stressed, an event called coral bleaching. Based on this description, the relationship between the coral and zooxanthellae from the corals' perspective is best described as ________. obligate mutualism commensalism facultative mutualism parasitism

          In many coral species, the coral polyps obtain additional nutrition by harboring photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae receive some protection from predation by being inside the coral tissue as well as some nutrients from the corals' waste but the algae are able to survive outside of the coral. The corals however will die if they lose their zooxanthellae for extended periods of time which can occur if the corals are stressed, an event called coral bleaching. Based on this description, the relationship between the coral and zooxanthellae from the corals' perspective is best described as ________.

obligate mutualism
commensalism
facultative mutualism
parasitism

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In many coral species, the coral polyps obtain additional nutrition by harboring photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae receive some protection from predation by being inside the coral tissue as well as some nutrients from the corals' waste but the algae are able to survive outside of the coral. The corals however will die if they lose their zooxanthellae for extended periods of time which can occur if the corals are stressed, an event called coral bleaching. Based on this description, the relationship between the coral and zooxanthellae from the corals' perspective is best described as .

obligate mutualism
commensalism
facultative mutualism
parasitism

Added by Madison A.

Biology for AP Courses

Julianne Zedalis, John Eggebrecht

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Solved by Expert Raaz D

02/20/2022

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Step 1: Identify the relationship between the coral and zooxanthellae described in the question. Show more…

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In many coral species, the coral polyps obtain additional nutrition by harboring photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae. The zooxanthellae receive some protection from predation by being inside the coral tissue as well as some nutrients from the corals' waste, but the algae are able to survive outside of the coral. The corals, however, will die if they lose their zooxanthellae for extended periods of time, which can occur if the corals are stressed, an event called coral bleaching. Based on this description, the relationship between the coral and zooxanthellae from the corals' perspective is best described as _______.

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Transcript

0:00 Hello.

00:02 So as for the question, here we have a relationship where coral polyp is obtaining nutrition from a photosynthetic algae zozantile.

00:16 Okay.

00:17 And zozantile receives protection and nutrition from coral polyp.

00:25 Meaning in some way both are benefiting each other.

00:30 Correct.

00:31 But the other.

00:31 Condition is that coral will die if the algae that is zoosanthali is being removed from its association so for the longer period of time if coral are not associated with algae they will die algae that is zoosanthali can survive alone as it is photosynthetic so it can survive on its own so now in this given situation, if you observe the option d, that is facultative mutualism, is a best suited example or a relationship here.

01:17 So facultative mutualism means, sorry, it's option c.

01:22 Facultative mutualism means where two species benefit from each other.

01:31 Benefit from each other but they are not completely dependent but not fully dependent so that one can survive without a symbiotic partner such that each can cannot survive each cannot survive without its symbiotic partner.

02:11 So what does this mean that though both the species are benefiting from each other, but they still can survive independently because they are not fully dependent.

02:24 They still can survive independently.

02:26 So the relationship given here can be best described as facultative mutualism.

02:32 Other options are not best suited since parasitism is not...

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