4. What happens after coral is bleached?(1 point)

Question

Responses

The coral releases algae into the ocean.
The coral releases algae into the ocean.

The coral is susceptible to starvation.
The coral is susceptible to starvation.

The coral produces peroxides.
The coral produces peroxides.

The coral dies immediately.

Answer 1

After coral is bleached, the most accurate response is:

The coral is susceptible to starvation.

When coral is bleached, it loses the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that live within its tissues. These algae provide the coral with essential nutrients through photosynthesis, and without them, the coral can struggle to survive, leading to starvation. While some corals may recover from bleaching if conditions improve, prolonged bleaching can lead to death.