How do corals exhibit the characteristics of life

When a coral bleaches, it is not dead. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and are subject to mortality. Coral bleaching is of particular concern today as our climate changes and temperatures rise. Corals are sessile, which means that they permanently attach themselves to the ocean floor, essentially "taking root" like most plants do. We certainly cannot recognize them by their faces or other distinct body parts, as we can most other animals. Corals actually comprise an ancient and unique partnership, called symbiosis , that benefits both animal and plant life in the ocean.

If not, what do you think it is? Explain that corals are a hard stony substance secreted by certain marine invertebrate animals that includes jellyfishes, corals, and sea anemones as an external skeleton, typically forming large reefs in warm oceans. Tell students the number of coral species in American Samoa. Talk about coral habitats and Zooxanthellae. Show them slides of healthy corals using the powerpoint program.

Split the class in two and have each group form a line Line 1 and Line 2. Have students in Line 1 and Line 2 face each other. In consecutive order, allow them 30 seconds to talk about each of the following:. Email us about this lesson plan. Explore This Park. Lesson Plan What Are Corals? National Park of American Samoa. Overall Rating Add your review. Step 1. Introduce Inquiry Question? What are corals?

Pre-Activity Ask: Has anyone seen coral? Step 2. Activity 1 Split the class in two and have each group form a line Line 1 and Line 2. In consecutive order, allow them 30 seconds to talk about each of the following: 1. Have students in Line 1 look across from them and ask their first partner in Line 2 where they have seen corals.

Most reef-building corals depend upon zooxanthellae tiny little algae that grow inside of them to photosynthesize and provide food. Though it varies largely on geography and the species of coral, many reef-building corals have a narrow temperature range in which they can thrive. That said, research has shown that corals can adapt to moderate rising ocean temperatures if they are healthy.

The algae also give a coral its color; coral polyps are actually transparent, so the color of the algae inside the polyps show through. Coral reefs provide habitat for a large variety of marine life, including various sponges, oysters, clams, crabs, sea stars, sea urchins, and many species of fish. Coral reefs are also linked ecologically to nearby seagrass, mangrove, and mudflat communities. One of the reasons that coral reefs are so highly valued is because they serve as a center of activity for marine life.

Some soft corals have zooxanthellae to acquire food and energy, but others, such as black corals, exist without this symbiotic relationship. However, the reef-building corals that rely on a symbiotic relationship with algae need shallow, clear water allowing light penetration for photosynthesis. Stony corals also require tropical or sub-tropical temperatures, which exist in a band 30 degrees north to 30 degrees south of the equator.