What causes coral bleaching?(1 point)

Question

Responses

High water temperatures and water acidity cause coral polyps to expel algae, causing them to turn white in color.
High water temperatures and water acidity cause coral polyps to expel algae, causing them to turn white in color.

Water acidity causes coral polyps to lose their photosynthetic abilities, causing them to turn white in color.
Water acidity causes coral polyps to lose their photosynthetic abilities, causing them to turn white in color.

Water acidity and high water temperatures make coral polyps more prone to infection, causing them to turn white in color.
Water acidity and high water temperatures make coral polyps more prone to infection, causing them to turn white in color.

High water temperatures boil coral polyps, causing them to turn white in color.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

High water temperatures and water acidity cause coral polyps to expel algae, causing them to turn white in color.

Coral bleaching occurs primarily due to stress factors such as elevated water temperatures and changes in water chemistry, which lead to the expulsion of the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that live within the coral tissue. This loss of algae results in the white appearance of bleached corals, as the vibrant colors are primarily due to these algae.