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Climate Change · Botany

What occurs during 'coral bleaching' when ocean temperatures rise?

  1. Corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues.
  2. Corals produce more pigment to protect themselves from heat.
  3. Corals grow faster due to increased metabolic rates.
  4. Corals dissolve due to the lack of oxygen in warm water.
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Correct answer: Corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues.

Stress from high temperatures causes corals to expel the colorful algae (zooxanthellae) that provide them with food. If the stress persists, the coral turns white and eventually dies of starvation.

Difficulty: Medium Question 15 of 20

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