1. Symbiotic relationships are very common in the ocean and hence seem to
be a good adaptive lifestyle for many organisms. Explain this comment
with some specific examples.
Symbiotic relationships help organisms survive and can improve their
lifestyles for the better in the ocean.
2. How is it that coral reefs can support a wide variety of life given that they
are located in nutrient-poor waters?
Algae supplies the corals with products of photosynthesis. Algae being
there is needed for the calcification of the coral Skelton that helps them
support wide variety of life while being in nutrient poor water. In coral reef
ecosystems, algal symbionts are common in invertebrates.
3. Describe primary productivity at hydrothermal vent regions. How does
this differ from coral reefs?
Primary productivity at hydrothermal vent regions is when bacteria
convert the energy in the sulphuric compounds to useable chemical
energy. This differs from coral reefs because energy is converted through
their ecosystem.
4. Describe two evolutionary adaptations related to symbiosis.
Flatworms that harbor symbiotic zoochlorellae. The adult flatworms do not
feed at all and the development of the larvae will cease if the symbionts
are not ingested. The survival of the species has become dependent on
the symbiotic relationship. Another one is Molluses. In the bivalves, the
tridacnid clams harbor symbiotic algae. The symbiotic zooxanthellae are
embedded in the mantle tissue of the clam and position themselves either
in the sediments or the infrastructure of the reef with the mantle tissue
facing towards sunlight. Body orientation is different from other bivalves
and it is an ecological adaptation to accommodate the symbiosis.
5. What would life be like in the ocean without symbiotic relationships?
There would not be a lot of life in the ocean and can be limited since it
wouldn’t be easy to survive.
be a good adaptive lifestyle for many organisms. Explain this comment
with some specific examples.
Symbiotic relationships help organisms survive and can improve their
lifestyles for the better in the ocean.
2. How is it that coral reefs can support a wide variety of life given that they
are located in nutrient-poor waters?
Algae supplies the corals with products of photosynthesis. Algae being
there is needed for the calcification of the coral Skelton that helps them
support wide variety of life while being in nutrient poor water. In coral reef
ecosystems, algal symbionts are common in invertebrates.
3. Describe primary productivity at hydrothermal vent regions. How does
this differ from coral reefs?
Primary productivity at hydrothermal vent regions is when bacteria
convert the energy in the sulphuric compounds to useable chemical
energy. This differs from coral reefs because energy is converted through
their ecosystem.
4. Describe two evolutionary adaptations related to symbiosis.
Flatworms that harbor symbiotic zoochlorellae. The adult flatworms do not
feed at all and the development of the larvae will cease if the symbionts
are not ingested. The survival of the species has become dependent on
the symbiotic relationship. Another one is Molluses. In the bivalves, the
tridacnid clams harbor symbiotic algae. The symbiotic zooxanthellae are
embedded in the mantle tissue of the clam and position themselves either
in the sediments or the infrastructure of the reef with the mantle tissue
facing towards sunlight. Body orientation is different from other bivalves
and it is an ecological adaptation to accommodate the symbiosis.
5. What would life be like in the ocean without symbiotic relationships?
There would not be a lot of life in the ocean and can be limited since it
wouldn’t be easy to survive.
