Question

what happens after coral is bleached
the coral produces preoxides
the coral dies immediately
the coral is susceptible to starvation
the coral releases algae into the ocean

Answer 1

After coral is bleached, the most accurate statement among the options you provided is that the coral is susceptible to starvation. Coral bleaching occurs when environmental stresses, such as higher sea temperatures, lead to the expulsion of the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that live within the coral's tissues. These algae provide essential nutrients to the coral through photosynthesis.

Here’s a breakdown of the other options:

1. **The coral produces peroxides**: While bleaching can produce oxidative stress in coral, which may involve reactive oxygen species like peroxides, this is not the primary outcome of bleaching itself.

2. **The coral dies immediately**: Coral does not die immediately after bleaching; it can survive for a time without the algae, but prolonged bleaching can lead to death if the algae do not return or if conditions do not improve.

3. **The coral releases algae into the ocean**: While corals do expel the algae (zooxanthellae) during bleaching, it's not so much a "release" into the ocean in the sense of functionality; the algae are expelled due to stress rather than being released purposefully.

In summary, after bleaching, coral struggles to obtain energy and nutrients, making it more vulnerable to starvation. If prolonged, this can lead to the eventual death of the coral.