Introduction to Marine Biology

How to Identify Coral QUIZ

Due April 14, 2026 at 9:00 AM · 5 multiple-choice questions · Practice quiz

1. Growth forms such as branching vs. plating vs. massive often reflect: Random genetics with zero influence from the environment Physical setting—waves, surge, and light—plus species tendencies Fish choosing English names for colonies Sand grain color on the beach only

2. Coral polyps mainly capture small prey using: Roots drilled into bedrock Tentacles armed with stinging cells (nematocysts) Internal jaws made of metal Loud whistles at night

3. Why is body color alone a weak way to identify coral? Corals cannot reflect any wavelengths Bleaching, algae films, and lighting change appearance quickly Every species shares identical pigments worldwide Photographs are never allowed on reefs

4. Corallites are best described as: Fish nests dug in mud Cup-like skeletal features that typically hold individual polyps Floating drift algae Types of seagrass roots

5. A helpful identification habit when surveying is to: Ignore depth, surge, and sun angle Record depth, light direction, and scale in photos when permitted Touch every colony repeatedly to test softness Collect samples without permits if you are fast