How do high temperatures affect corals?
a
corals become more susceptible to disease
b
corals become more colorful
c
corals erode
d
corals collect more zooxanthellae
a) Corals become more susceptible to disease. High temperatures can cause stress and weaken corals, making them more vulnerable to infections and other diseases.
Which is an example of a producer?
a
mouse
b
deer
c
rose bush
d
bear
c) Rose bush is an example of a producer. Producers are organisms that can make their own food through photosynthesis. The rose bush is a plant that produces its own food through photosynthesis.
The correct answer is a) corals become more susceptible to disease. High temperatures can have a negative impact on coral health and trigger a phenomenon known as coral bleaching. Here's how you can arrive at this answer:
1. Understand the impact of high temperatures on corals: High temperatures can stress corals, leading them to expel the symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae, which reside in their tissues and provide them with energy through photosynthesis. This expulsion of zooxanthellae causes the corals to lose their vibrant colors and appear bleached.
2. Analyze the options:
a) Corals become more susceptible to disease: High temperatures compromise the immune system of corals, making them more vulnerable to diseases and infections.
b) Corals become more colorful: High temperatures actually cause corals to lose their colors during coral bleaching.
c) Corals erode: Although environmental changes like increasing ocean acidification can have long-term effects on coral health, high temperatures directly cause bleaching rather than erosion.
d) Corals collect more zooxanthellae: High temperatures result in corals expelling, rather than collecting, zooxanthellae.
3. Conclusion: After analyzing the options, it becomes clear that a) corals become more susceptible to disease is the correct answer, as high temperatures weaken their defense mechanisms, making them more prone to infections and diseases.