Which of the following best describes the relationship between aquatic organisms and coral reefs?

• A. Aquatic organisms have only a predatory relationship with coral reefs.
• B. Aquatic organisms have various relationships with coral reefs, including mutualism, commensalism, and predation.
• C. Aquatic organisms only use coral reefs as a food source.
• D. Aquatic organisms avoid coral reefs due to toxic chemicals produced by corals.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of coral reefs and their ecological importance. Coral reefs are diverse underwater ecosystems that provide habitat, food, and protection for a wide variety of aquatic organisms.
2. Step 2: Review the types of ecological relationships. These include mutualism (both organisms benefit), commensalism (one organism benefits without harming the other), and predation (one organism feeds on another).
3. Step 3: Analyze the interactions between aquatic organisms and coral reefs. For example, mutualism can be seen in the relationship between corals and zooxanthellae algae, where algae provide energy through photosynthesis, and corals offer shelter. Commensalism occurs when small fish or crustaceans use coral reefs for protection without affecting the corals. Predation happens when certain species feed on coral polyps.
4. Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options based on the understanding of these relationships. For instance, aquatic organisms do not exclusively have predatory relationships with coral reefs, nor do they avoid coral reefs due to toxic chemicals. Coral reefs are not solely a food source but serve multiple ecological roles.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is: Aquatic organisms have various relationships with coral reefs, including mutualism, commensalism, and predation. This reflects the complexity and diversity of interactions within coral reef ecosystems.