Unique Coral Reef Adaptations

The coral polyps that make up reefs serve as hosts to zooxanthellae in that they allow the algae to take shelter in their tissues. This actually is in the coral polyps' favor, too. The zooxanthellae, via photosynthesis, are capable of transforming water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and oxygen. Coral polyps, as a result, can employ these carbohydrates for valuable nourishment. The oxygen is also beneficial for their breathing.

Coral polyps can easily pinpoint others that are kin to them -- those that have their specific genes. If a coral polyp encounters another and senses that it is in any way harmed or in less than optimal condition, it can send proteins and carbohydrates over as a means of strengthening the troubled party. Since their genes are no different from each other, doing this actually is advantageous for both polyps in that it enhances the chances of the successful survival of the reef environment.

Coral bleaching is an issue that arises as a result of increased temperatures in the ocean. This bleaching is perilous to coral reefs in that it affects the interplay between zooxanthellae and coral. Excessively high temperatures stop zooxanthellae from providing sustenance, which triggers their departure from the corals. When zooxanthellae vacate coral polyps, it abruptly turns the organisms white as if they were bleached. While polyps are clear in "color," their skeletons are white. Bleaching not only has the power to destroy coral entirely, it can also drastically slow down its development. Corals that inhabit warm waters can handle elevated temperatures a lot better than their counterparts in colder locales. Corals that hail from warmer geographic locations require especially high water temperatures to undergo bleaching -- a definite plus for their ongoing survival.

Coral polyps are individually equipped with their own set of tentacles. Their tentacles are located by their mouths and serve two extremely important functions for their survival. They not only can seize tiny zooplankton for meals, they also can protect coral polyps from possible dangers. The ends of their elongated tentacles have stinging abilities.