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Multiple Choice Quiz
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1

Coral polyps in a single coral colony typically form when many larvae are attracted to settle in the same location.
A)T
B)F
2

Reefs are built by corals with both calcium carbonate skeletons and hard protein skeletons.
A)T
B)F
3

In a coral reef, most of the structure is calcium carbonate with only a thin living layer of polyp colonies on the surface.
A)T
B)F
4

It is generally thought that coral cnidarians cannot form massive reefs without their zooxanthellae symbionts.
A)T
B)F
5

Coral polyps do not feed on external food sources if they have sufficient zooxanthellae.
A)T
B)F
6

Zooxanthellae obtain their nutrition primarily from DOM.
A)T
B)F
7

Most of the sediment in a coral reef comes from fragments of calcium carbonate from organisms such as coralline green algae.
A)T
B)F
8

Coral bleaching is triggered by El Nino vents when extremely cold waters enter the tropics and shut down metabolism of the zooxanthellae.
A)T
B)F
9

In a fringing reef, the reef slope and crest have less growth than does the reef flat because the flat is more protected.
A)T
B)F
10

The Great Barrier Reef of Australia is the longest in the world.
A)T
B)F
11

Atoll reefs are those that grow on a ring of crater rock that is the edge of an island volcano that has subsided to sea level.
A)T
B)F
12

The most widely accepted explanation for atoll reef formation was developed by Charles Darwin in the mid-1800s.
A)T
B)F
13

Coral reef growth is highly dependent on nutrient recycling between animals and algae.
A)T
B)F
14

Coral reefs obtain all unrecycled nutrients (needed to replace those lost) by trapping plankton brought in by currents.
A)T
B)F
15

Cyanobacteria are thought to be the most important producers on a coral reef.
A)T
B)F
16

In some cases, soft corals can succeed nearly as well as hard corals do.
A)T
B)F
17

The lottery hypothesis proposes that whichever species of fish dominates a patch of reef is largely a matter of luck.
A)T
B)F
18

Corals have so many defense mechanisms that very few animals utilize the large amount of organic materials they produce.
A)T
B)F
19

Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns seastars is now readily controlled by hiring divers to chop the seastars into pieces.
A)T
B)F
20

Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns seastars have been clearly documented to be increasing in recent years due to human pollution and fishing.
A)T
B)F
21

Algae normally do not overgrow coral cnidarians on a reef because low nutrient levels and herbivory keep the algae in check.
A)T
B)F
22

Parrot fish, sea urchins, and small invertebrates such as polychaetes are all important reef herbivores.
A)T
B)F
23

Ciguatera is a disease usually caused from eating tropical fish, but ultimately caused by toxins produced by a tropical snail.
A)T
B)F
24

Anemone fish can live safely within the tentacles of sea anemones because they have specialized scales that are immune to nematocyst stings.
A)T
B)F
25

Hermatic refers to these reef animals:
A)corals that build reef formations.
B)corals with largely proteinaceous skeletons.
C)corals with zooxanthellae.
D)corals in deep water.
26

The following is an important feature of encrusting coralline algae on a tropical reef:
A)They grow on sediment and cement it in place, helping reef formation.
B)They are less wave-resistant than are stony corals.
C)They form calcium carbonate but contribute only a few percent to reef growth.
D)They grow best in deep water by using accessory pigments for photosynthesis.
27

The following are conditions optimal for most coral reef growth:
A)clear, shallow water, usually above 20°C, and the hotter the better.
B)clear, high nutrient water above 20°C but below about 35°C.
C)clear, deep water above 20°C but below about 35°C.
D)clear, shallow water usually above 20°C but below about 35°C.
28

The reefs of Kaneohe Bay in Hawaii were severely affected by
A)sewage leading to eutrophication.
B)overgrowth by algae.
C)hurricane damage to pollution-damaged reef skeletons.
D)all of the above.
E)both a and b.
29

Corals compete for space on a reef by
A)growing upward rapidly then outward to shade competitors.
B)killing their rivals with mesenterial filaments that digest tissue.
C)killing their rivals with specialized nematocyst-laden tentacles.
D)all of the above.
E)both a and b.
F)both a and c.







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