Where does photosynthesis occur?

[SaltyDr]

Does anyone know where within the coral does photosynthesis occur? The polyps are usually for consumption, so I assume it is within the body of the coral itself. I was just wondering if photosynthesis was still occuring if the polyps were not out.

 

[LisaD]

Photosynthesis in corals takes place in the zooxanthellae. These are symbiotic algae that live in the coral's tissue. The coral is an animal, the algae is, basically, a plant.

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/corals/media/supp_coral02bc.html

I am not sure if non-feeding corals are photosynthesizing. I would guess no, as light would be restricted from the symbiotic zooxanthellae.

 

[SaltyDr]

Yes, but where in the coral do the zooanthellae reside?

 

[1DeR9_3Hy]

Judging by the questions you are asking, you should pick up this book:

http://books.google.com/books?id=Y5...Sprung&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=4

I have read it, and it tells you where and how the corals photosynthesize...but i cant remember where because its been so long. There are some nice diagrams that also help to illustrate the idea.

 

[snorvich]

Good advice above /\

 

[SPSEMPIRE]

brought this thread out of the dead by accident. I was using it for research but it is a great thread. The link to the book is not working any more. Do anybody know the name of it?

 

[plantastic]

It looks like the link was for Sprung and Delbeek's books...probably The Reef Aquarium volume 1. It is a three part series. Excellent books.

Another great series of books is Fossa and Nilsen's The Modern Coral Reef Aquarium. This is a 4 part series.

And, to answer the question, the zooxanthellae resides in the ectoderm of the coral tissue and Yes, Corals still photosynthesize, even if the polyps are not out.

Scott

 

[jimmy_beaner]

xooxanthellae reside just below the tissue surface. This should make sense as they need access to light, but also need to be held inside the coral.