Tiny plant-like organisms called zooxanthella live in the
tissues of many animals, including some corals, anemones, and
jellyfish, sponges, flatworms, mollusks and foraminifera. These
microscopic algae capture sunlight and convert it into energy,
just like plants, to provide essential nutrients to the corals.
In exchange, they have a place to live inside the animal's body.
But when the zooxanthellae are under stress, such as high
temperatures, they will die or leave their host—a process known
as bleaching. Close-up of a Coral Polyp What Is Coral? A Coral
Polyp and Zooxanthellae Bleached Corals, Pacific Ocean Share
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