Do Zooxanthellae Require Sunlight?
Sunlight: Corals Need to Grow in Shallow Water Where Sunlight Can Reach Them. Corals Depend on the Zooxanthellae (Algae) That Grow Inside of Them for Oxygen...
Sunlight: Corals need to grow in shallow water where sunlight can reach them. Corals depend on the zooxanthellae (algae) that grow inside of them for oxygen and other things, and since these algae needs sunlight to survive, corals also need sunlight to survive.
What does zooxanthellae need to survive?
The zooxanthellae cells use carbon dioxide and water to carry out photosynthesis. ... They help the coral survive by providing it with food resulting from photosynthesis. In turn, the coral polyps provide the cells with a protected environment and the nutrients they need to carry out photosynthesis.
Can zooxanthellae survive without coral?
Zooxanthellae are the symbiotic algae that live within the hard or stony corals. ... Corals are completely dependent on the symbiotic algae. They would not be able to survive without them since they can't produce sufficient amounts of food.