Although not plants and therefore incapable of photosynthesis themselves, many sea anemones form an important symbiotic relationship with certain single-celled green algae species that reside in the animals' gastrodermal cells. The sea anemone benefits from the products of the algae's photosynthesis: oxygen and food in the form of glycerol, glucose and alanine. The algae in turn are assured a reliable exposure to sunlight and protection from herbivores. The algae also benefit by being protected due to the presence of stinging cells called nematocysts - which reside in the anemone's tentacles - thereby reducing the likelihood of being eaten.
Photo: Green Anemones, Olympic National Park, WA; July 27, 2013
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