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National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Home Education Corals Zooxanthellae... What's That?

Zooxanthellae Pigmentation

Comparison of coral

Zooxanthellae cells provide corals with pigmentation. On the left is a healthy stony coral. On the right is a stony coral that has lost its zooxanthellae cells and has taken on a bleached appearance. If a coral polyp is without zooxanthellae cells for a long period of time, it will most likely die.

Corals Lessons

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) includes this resource in its database. NSTA provides educators and students access to Web-based, educationally appropriate science content that has been formally evaluated by master teachers.
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