Correct option is D
Explanation-
Option A- "Corals possess special stinging cells called nematocytes in their tentacles for capturing prey." - CORRECT
This is true. Corals are cnidarians (like jellyfish) and use nematocysts (in cnidocytes) to paralyze and catch small prey like plankton.
Option B - "Several corals have mutualistic interactions with microorganisms called zooxanthellae that photosynthesize and pass some of the food to their hosts." - CORRECT
This is also correct. Many reef-building corals live in symbiosis with zooxanthellae (dinoflagellates) that perform photosynthesis and share nutrients with the coral.
Option C - "Reefs form when corals grow in shallow water close to the shores." - CORRECT
Coral reefs typically form in shallow, warm, and clear waters near coastlines, as they depend on light for the zooxanthellae and stable substrate for growth.
Option D -"All corals grow only in the photic zones as they need sunlight for their growth." - INCORRECT
While reef-building (hermatypic) corals do require light (photic zone) due to their symbiotic zooxanthellae, There are also deep-sea corals (ahermatypic corals) that live in the aphotic zone (no light) and do not have zooxanthellae.
These deep-sea corals rely solely on filter-feeding, not photosynthesis.
So, the statement is incorrect because it overgeneralizes — not all corals need sunlight or live only in the photic zone.
Final Answer: Option D
