- Coral reefs may hold many useful small molecules.
- A research team traveled across Pacific reefs for many months.
- They took many samples from reefs and water.
- Scientists looked at tiny bacteria that live near corals.
- The team found many bacteria never seen before.
- These bacteria make small molecules for growth and protection.
- Some molecules could become new medicines or useful products.
- The study looked at stony corals and fire coral.
- Reefs are fragile because of warming and bleaching.
Difficult words
- coral — Animals that build reef structures in the seacorals, stony corals, fire coral
- reef — A line of rock or coral in the seareefs, Pacific reefs
- molecule — Very small piece of a substance or chemicalmolecules, small molecules
- bacteria — Very small living cells, some cause diseasetiny bacteria
- fragile — Easy to break or damage
- bleaching — When corals lose their color and die
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen a coral reef?
- Would you like to visit a coral reef?
- Do you think warm sea water is a problem for reefs?
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