Coral Reef Background Reading

Jen J.
Provided in UE Science class the week of May 1.
11 words 1 learner

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. polyp
    a small vascular growth on the surface of a mucous membrane
    Amazingly, the chief architect of the reef is a tiny animal called a coral polyp.
  2. coral reef
    a reef consisting of coral consolidated into limestone
    In many ways, a coral reef is like a city, complete with places to live, eat, and socialize for its countless residents.
  3. cityscape
    painting depicting a city or urban area
    Here are some ways to think about this analogy, but be sure to include other ideas your students may have:
    • The coral itself in its varied heights and forms creates the skyline or cityscape of a reef.
  4. life form
    the characteristic bodily form of a mature organism
    The reef, however, is home to an almost incomprehensible variety of life forms ranging from millions of microscopic free-floating plants to large sharks passing through in search of a meal.
  5. calcium carbonate
    a salt found in nature as chalk or calcite or aragonite or limestone
    Each polyp secretes calcium carbonate (limestone) throughout its life, continuously extending the length of the stony cup underneath it.
  6. evict
    expel or eject without recourse to legal process
    New housing is difficult to find, and animals rarely move out unless evicted by a bigger tenant.
  7. invertebrate
    any animal lacking a backbone or notochord
    These “buildings” provide the basis for food and shelter for thousands of fishes and invertebrate species.
  8. ecosystem
    organisms interacting with their physical environment
    So many creatures live together on the reef that it is considered one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth.
  9. secrete
    generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
    Each polyp secretes calcium carbonate (limestone) throughout its life, continuously extending the length of the stony cup underneath it.
  10. parasite
    an animal or plant that lives in or on a host
    Larger fishes line up to wait for the cleaner animals to rid them of tiny parasites they can’t get off themselves.
  11. diversity
    noticeable variety
    • Cities tend to be places of diversity where all types of people live together.
Created on Mon Apr 30 12:05:36 EDT 2012 (updated Mon Apr 30 12:09:03 EDT 2012)

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