Zooxanthellae Algae

Zooxanthellae Algae Shape and Color

 

Although zooxanthellae algae are undetectable by the human eye, when observed under microscope the appearance of zooxanthellae algae is yellow-brown in color, and takes on the shape of a sphere. There is more than one type, or strain, of zooxanthellae algae which can be customized to the depth of water where the coral is found, in addition to the amount of available light. The ability of zooxanthellae algae to adapt over time to these conditions is extremely important as the issue of global warming becomes more of a factor in the world’s oceans

 

Regulation of Zooxanthellae Algae in Corals

 

Colonies of zooxanthellae algae originally permeate the corals through the water column, although the coral itself does have some control over the size of its colony. The corals do this by limiting available waste products that zooxanthellae algae need in which to grow, or by limiting the zooxanthellae algae’s access to light (and therefore reducing the amount of photosynthesis that can occur). Some environmental conditions can also affect the population of zooxanthellae algae in a coral. When the coral becomes stressed because of such changes, zooxanthellae algae will flee the coral’s body. This can be extremely dangerous for the coral, as it is dependent upon zooxanthellae algae for its own survival.

Zooxanthellae Algae & Photosynthesis

Zooxanthellae algae engage in photosynthesis, a process which converts various chemical compounds and elements into energy using natural sunlight. (In artificial environments, zooxanthellae algae can undergo the same process using artificial light sources such as lamps.)

Zooxanthellae Algae Passing Nutrient to Host

The nutrients that zooxanthellae algae pass on to its host coral are used to create coral skeletons and eventually build entire reef systems. Without zooxanthellae algae, the coral would not have any energy from which to grow or even survive. Therefore, it is easy to see why corals are completely dependent upon zooxanthellae algae, and the relationship is one that needs to be preserved at all costs.

How Corals Benefit Zooxanthellae Algae

However, this relationship is not entirely one-sided. Corals release side nutrients including nitrogen and carbon dioxide that are byproducts of its metabolism process. These nutrients are absorbed by zooxanthellae algae and recycled into its photosynthetic process. The corals themselves provide an excellent defense system for zooxanthellae algae- since the algae reside underneath the skin of coral, they are shielded from potential predators and environmental disturbances. In addition, the coral is a vast bed of nutrients that contribute to the growth rate of zooxanthellae algae.