
To review:
The outcome of results of the experiment on relationships between the number of fish species and the species diversity of the corals in their respective habitats. Also, explain the way in which this knowledge would help in maintaining the coral reef ecosystem under threat.
Given:
Figure 1 shows the study area of the experiment in the Indo-pacific region with high coral reef species. The three sites are Kimbe Bay in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Moorea Island in French Polynesia, and Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef on the east coast of Australia.
Figure 1: Experimental sites across the Indo-pacific region.
Graph 1 shows the results of the number of the fish species found in the coral species region. A relationship was established between the index of sensitivity and the number of coral species.
Graph 1: Relationship between the index of sensitivity and number of coral species.
Introduction:
An experiment was conducted in the three islands, Kimbe Bay (highest fish diversity), Moorea island (lowest number of fish species), and Lizard island (with an intermediate number of fish species). In the experiment, the coral diversity was manipulated and associated fish species were counted during a 12-month period. Based on this experiment, an index of sensitivity was calculated to evaluate the relationship among the number of coral species and the number of associated fish species that inhabited in the plots.

Explanation of Solution
Corals are coelenterate, which is composed of thin layers of calcium carbonate that is secreted over time by coral polyps. Polyps witness a symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae. Coral reef ecosystem is the most diverse ecosystem on the earth. It is made up of corals, sponges, molluscs, Fish, sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and many other aquatic organisms. Corals and fishes have a symbiotic relationship where many fishes depend on corals for their food and habitat whereas the corals depend on grazing by certain fishes for reproduction.
The results suggest that fishes at the Kimbe Bay Island were more sensitive to changes in the number of coral species and they were expected to undergo local extinctions. This happens because the fish species diversity is more in this region. On the other hand, Moorea island, which inhabited fewer number fishes, were not much sensitive to changes in the number of coral species.
These results might be useful in preserving the coral reefs, which inhabit a large number of fish species. As the fishes and simultaneously the coral reefs in the Kimbe Bay are sensitive to any changes, they might face extinction threats from the activities of the nearby human population. Thus, the ecologists must give special attention to this region (Kimbe Bay) while laying down protective guidelines for the coral reefs all across the globe.
Therefore, it can be concluded that decline in the number of fish diversity is directly proportional to the decrease in the coral species. This can help the marine biologists to pay special attention to the sensitive regions of coral diversity.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 53 Solutions
EBK LIFE: THE SCIENCE OF BIOLOGY
- Design a grafting experiment to determine if limb mesoderm determines forelimb / hindlimb identity. Include the experiment, a control, and an interpretation in your answer.arrow_forwardThe Snapdragon is a popular garden flower that comes in a variety of colours, including red, yellow, and orange. The genotypes and associated phenotypes for some of these flowers are as follows: aabb: yellow AABB, AABb, AaBb, and AaBB: red AAbb and Aabb: orange aaBB: yellow aaBb: ? Based on this information, what would the phenotype of a Snapdragon with the genotype aaBb be and why? Question 21 options: orange because A is epistatic to B yellow because A is epistatic to B red because B is epistatic to A orange because B is epistatic to A red because A is epistatic to B yellow because B is epistatic to Aarrow_forwardA sample of blood was taken from the above individual and prepared for haemoglobin analysis. However, when water was added the cells did not lyse and looked normal in size and shape. The technician suspected that they had may have made an error in the protocol – what is the most likely explanation? The cell membranes are more resistant than normal. An isotonic solution had been added instead of water. A solution of 0.1 M NaCl had been added instead of water. Not enough water had been added to the red blood cell pellet. The man had sickle-cell anaemia.arrow_forward
- A sample of blood was taken from the above individual and prepared for haemoglobin analysis. However, when water was added the cells did not lyse and looked normal in size and shape. The technician suspected that they had may have made an error in the protocol – what is the most likely explanation? The cell membranes are more resistant than normal. An isotonic solution had been added instead of water. A solution of 0.1 M NaCl had been added instead of water. Not enough water had been added to the red blood cell pellet. The man had sickle-cell anaemia.arrow_forwardWith reference to their absorption spectra of the oxy haemoglobin intact line) and deoxyhemoglobin (broken line) shown in Figure 2 below, how would you best explain the reason why there are differences in the major peaks of the spectra? Figure 2. SPECTRA OF OXYGENATED AND DEOXYGENATED HAEMOGLOBIN OBTAINED WITH THE RECORDING SPECTROPHOTOMETER 1.4 Abs < 0.8 06 0.4 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 nm 1. The difference in the spectra is due to a pH change in the deoxy-haemoglobin due to uptake of CO2- 2. There is more oxygen-carrying plasma in the oxy-haemoglobin sample. 3. The change in Mr due to oxygen binding causes the oxy haemoglobin to have a higher absorbance peak. 4. Oxy-haemoglobin is contaminated by carbaminohemoglobin, and therefore has a higher absorbance peak 5. Oxy-haemoglobin absorbs more light of blue wavelengths and less of red wavelengths than deoxy-haemoglobinarrow_forwardWith reference to their absorption spectra of the oxy haemoglobin intact line) and deoxyhemoglobin (broken line) shown in Figure 2 below, how would you best explain the reason why there are differences in the major peaks of the spectra? Figure 2. SPECTRA OF OXYGENATED AND DEOXYGENATED HAEMOGLOBIN OBTAINED WITH THE RECORDING SPECTROPHOTOMETER 1.4 Abs < 0.8 06 0.4 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 nm 1. The difference in the spectra is due to a pH change in the deoxy-haemoglobin due to uptake of CO2- 2. There is more oxygen-carrying plasma in the oxy-haemoglobin sample. 3. The change in Mr due to oxygen binding causes the oxy haemoglobin to have a higher absorbance peak. 4. Oxy-haemoglobin is contaminated by carbaminohemoglobin, and therefore has a higher absorbance peak 5. Oxy-haemoglobin absorbs more light of blue wavelengths and less of red wavelengths than deoxy-haemoglobinarrow_forward
- Which ONE of the following is FALSE regarding haemoglobin? It has two alpha subunits and two beta subunits. The subunits are joined by disulphide bonds. Each subunit covalently binds a haem group. Conformational change in one subunit can be transmitted to another. There are many variant ("mutant") forms of haemoglobin that are not harmful.arrow_forwardWhich ONE of the following is FALSE regarding haemoglobin? It has two alpha subunits and two beta subunits. The subunits are joined by disulphide bonds. Each subunit covalently binds a haem group. Conformational change in one subunit can be transmitted to another. There are many variant ("mutant") forms of haemoglobin that are not harmful.arrow_forwardDuring a routine medical check up of a healthy man it was found that his haematocrit value was highly unusual – value of 60%. What one of the options below is the most likely reason? He will have a diet high in iron. He is likely to be suffering from anaemia. He lives at high altitude. He has recently recovered from an accident where he lost a lot of blood. He has a very large body size.arrow_forward
- Explain what age of culture is most likely to produce an endospore?arrow_forwardExplain why hot temperatures greater than 45 degrees celsius would not initiate the sporulation process in endospores?arrow_forwardEndospore stain: Consider tube 2 of the 7-day bacillus culture. After is was heated, it was incubated for 24 hours then refrigerated. Do you think the cloudiness in this tube is due mostly to vegetative cells or to endospores? Explain your reasoningarrow_forward
- Biology Today and Tomorrow without Physiology (Mi...BiologyISBN:9781305117396Author:Cecie Starr, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781337392938Author:Eldra Solomon, Charles Martin, Diana W. Martin, Linda R. BergPublisher:Cengage Learning
- Biology: The Unity and Diversity of Life (MindTap...BiologyISBN:9781305073951Author:Cecie Starr, Ralph Taggart, Christine Evers, Lisa StarrPublisher:Cengage LearningBiology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)BiologyISBN:9781305389892Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillanPublisher:Cengage Learning




