What are corals?

Question

What are corals? living creatures or plants?

Answer 1

Corals are marine animals of the class Anthozoa, which include sea anemones (order Actiniaria). Corals are gastrovascular marine cnidarians (phylum Cnidaria) and exist as small sea anemone-like polyps, typically in colonies of many individuals. The group includes the important reef builders known as hermatypic corals, found in tropical oceans, and belonging to the subclass Zoantharia of order Scleractinia. The latter are also known as stony corals since the living tissue thinly covers a skeleton composed of calcium carbonate. A coral "head" is formed of thousands of individual polyps, each polyp only a few millimeters in diameter. The colony of polyps function as a single organism by sharing nutrients via a well-developed gastrovascular network. Genetically, the polyps are clones, each having exactly the same genome. Each polyp generation grows on the skeletal remains of previous generations, forming a structure that has a shape characteristic of the species, but also subject to environmental influences.

Although sea anemones can catch fish and other prey items and corals can catch plankton, these animals obtain much of their nutrients from symbiotic unicellular dinoflagellates (type of photosynthetic algae) called zooxanthellae. Consequently, most corals are dependent upon sunlight and for that reason are usually found not far beneath the surface, although in clear waters corals can grow at depths of up to 60 m (200 ft). Other corals, notably the cold-water genus Lophelia, do not have associated algae, and can live in much deeper water, with recent finds as deep as 3000 m.[1] Corals breed by spawning, with many corals of the same species in a region releasing gametes simultaneously over a period of one to several nights around a full moon.

Corals are major contributors to the physical structure of coral reefs that develop only in tropical and subtropical waters. Some corals exist in cold waters, such as off the coast of Norway (north to at least 69° 14.24' N) and the Darwin Mounds off western Scotland. The most extensive development of extant coral reef is the Great Barrier

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Answer 2

Oh confident i think that I got here from coral using fact my dermis is brown and there is probly some brown coral so therfore I got here from coral. Ha! i think of that that's the main funniest factor i've got ever heard in my life . No offence yet NO we don't share a easy anscestor with coral . God made guy in the backyard He made Adam a HUMAN and made him a mate a spouse a HUMAN and HUMAN we are and HUMAN we will continually be . examine the Bible for your self. all the solutions to life are in that e book. i can work out have been your coming from I even have an uncle that thinks particularly an analogous way as you do yet he's athiest so as that is going particularly way farther.

Answer 3

A coral colony usually consists of thousands of little coral animals, or polyps, as seen in this picture. Each polyp is like a tiny anemone (or jellyfish on its back) which secretes a calcium carbonate, or limestone skeleton on/in which it lives. A colony may begin with just one polyp, to stretch over many metres in diameter as it grows, adding more and more polyps. Coral polyps, like anemones and jellyfish, are typically partially carnivorous, feeding on any small particle that is floating on the water and brushes against its tentacles. Corals also have microscopic algal cells living within their tissues called zooxanthellae. These algae take the metabolic waste products of the coral as fertilizer, combine them with light (like any other plant) and produce enough food for both the algae and the polyp. The algae gets food and protection within the polyp, and the polyp gets food from the algae. In this way, the polyp is able to recycle food within itself, being efficient enough to thrive in the nutrient poor waters of the tropical oceans. Coral reefs are in fact one of the most productive natural communities on earth, occurring in clear, shallow tropical waters around the world.
A reef provides food and habitat for fish and also protects the shoreline from erosion. Coral reefs, when healthy, are continually growing, forever strengthening this protective barrier. Reefs protect shallower inshore habitats such as sea grass beds and mangrove systems from incoming waves, and the mangrove systems and sea grass beds protect the reefs from coastal stresses such as excessive nutrients and muddy water. It's all a big system working together.
Reef dwelling organisms often produce biologically active compounds to keep themselves safe from stresses, diseases or predators: possessing unpleasant, poisonous, anti microbial and antiviral abilities. These compounds may be important sources for new natural drugs and medicines for us as well.

Answer 4

these r natural living structures,half plant,half animal,built bytransparentpolyps that secrete calcium carbonate,as the main ingredient for their construction.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

They're animals.