Which sentence do you think does not agree with the true facts of coral reefs?

1. Off shore coral reefs are the cause of terrible storms in coastal communities.
2. Coral reefs form when the shells of thousands of corals join.
3. Sponges gives out chemicals that harden around their soft bodies to form coral heads.
4. water pollution form oil, gas, and fertilizers can damage corals.
5. Young fish live in and around coral reefs

Alert! Even I, a non-science person, can tell which one of these is incorrect.

What do YOU THINK??

To determine which sentence does not agree with the true facts of coral reefs, we need to evaluate each statement and compare it to the commonly accepted information about coral reefs.

1. "Off shore coral reefs are the cause of terrible storms in coastal communities."
This statement is not true. Coral reefs act as natural barriers that help dissipate wave energy and protect coastal communities from the damaging effects of storms. Therefore, this sentence does not agree with the true facts of coral reefs.

2. "Coral reefs form when the shells of thousands of corals join."
This statement is true. Coral reefs are formed through the accumulation of calcium carbonate skeletons from millions of individual coral polyps. So, this sentence agrees with the true facts of coral reefs.

3. "Sponges give out chemicals that harden around their soft bodies to form coral heads."
This statement is not entirely accurate. While sponges do play a role in reef formation, they do not specifically harden around their soft bodies to form coral heads. It is actually the corals themselves that secrete calcium carbonate to form the structure of coral heads. Therefore, this sentence does not accurately describe the true facts of coral reefs.

4. "Water pollution from oil, gas, and fertilizers can damage corals."
This statement is true. Water pollution, particularly from oil spills, nutrient runoffs, and chemical pollutants, can have a detrimental effect on coral reefs by causing coral bleaching, growth inhibition, and even death. So, this sentence agrees with the true facts of coral reefs.

5. "Young fish live in and around coral reefs."
This statement is also true. Coral reefs provide critical habitat for a wide range of marine organisms, including young fish. The complex structure of coral reefs offers protection, food sources, and breeding grounds for various fish species. Therefore, this sentence agrees with the true facts of coral reefs.

In conclusion, the sentence that does not agree with the true facts of coral reefs is:
3. "Sponges give out chemicals that harden around their soft bodies to form coral heads."