What causes coral bleaching?(1 point)

Question

Responses

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.

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.

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

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 when corals become stressed due to factors such as elevated water temperatures or increased acidity, leading them to expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues. This loss of algae, which provide corals with color and essential nutrients through photosynthesis, results in the corals appearing white or "bleached."

Answer 2

What causes ocean acidification?(1 point)
Responses

Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, raising the water’s pH.
Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, raising the water’s pH.

Acidic oxygen dissolves in water, raising the water’s pH.
Acidic oxygen dissolves in water, raising the water’s pH.

Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, lowering the water’s pH.
Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, lowering the water’s pH.

Acidic oxygen dissolves in water, lowering the water’s pH.

Answer 3

The correct response is:

Acidic carbon dioxide dissolves in water, lowering the water’s pH.

Ocean acidification occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in seawater, forming carbonic acid, which decreases the pH of the water, making it more acidic.

Answer 4

There is a history of global temperatures changing, but why is this change different?(1 point)
Responses

The Earth is getting cooler everywhere instead of warmer.
The Earth is getting cooler everywhere instead of warmer.

It is not different; this is a regular shift in temperature.
It is not different; this is a regular shift in temperature.

There are more species on the planet this time.
There are more species on the planet this time.

This shift in temperature is happening more quickly.

Answer 5

The correct response is:

This shift in temperature is happening more quickly.

Current changes in global temperatures are occurring at an unprecedented rate compared to natural historical fluctuations, primarily due to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This rapid change poses significant risks to ecosystems, weather patterns, and biodiversity.

Answer 6

Which is the least likely reason that a seal needs ice cover?(1 point)
Responses

to protect itself from the sun
to protect itself from the sun

to consume prey
to consume prey

to get in and out of water
to get in and out of water

to reproduce

Answer 7

The least likely reason that a seal needs ice cover is:

to consume prey.

While seals do hunt for prey in the water, they are not dependent on ice cover specifically for this purpose. Ice cover is important for breeding and resting, as well as for protection from predators and the sun, but it is not directly necessary for finding food.

Answer 8

Coral bleaching affects(1 point)
Responses

the biodiversity of the water.
the biodiversity of the water.

the color of the water.
the color of the water.

the acidity of the water.
the acidity of the water.

the temperature of the water.

Answer 9

The correct response is:

the biodiversity of the water.

Coral bleaching impacts the biodiversity of marine ecosystems. When corals bleach and lose their symbiotic algae, they become more vulnerable to disease and mortality, which in turn affects the various species that depend on healthy coral reefs for habitat and food, leading to a decline in overall biodiversity.