Answer:
E. Both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.
Explanation:
Coral reefs are found in the tropical water which is poor in nutrients. The species of coral that form the reefs have symbiotic zooxanthellae in their tissues that can carry out the process of photosynthesis. The coral reefs obtain their food from their symbiont and hence, can survive in the water that lacks enough supply of nutrients.
Coral reefs also use their stinging tentacles and capture the small animals to feed on them. However, the food derived from symbiont zooxanthellae is the major source of nutrients for them.