Part A Coral reefs are very susceptible to changes in the ocean. This is due in part to a symbiotic relationship shared between coral and algae. The ideal conditions for coral growth can be seen in Table1.
Table 1. Ideal Conditions for Coral Growth
Condition Minimum Maximum
Temperature (°C) 23 29
pH 7.8 8.5
In an area with many coral reefs, an ecologist tests the waters. Their findings are shown in Table 2.
Table 2. Measured Conditions
Temperature (°C) 21
pH 8.2
Using the infographic, select the most likely conclusion.
Responses
A The coral will likely be unaffected.The coral will likely be unaffected.
B The coral will likely continue to live, but will not thrive.The coral will likely continue to live, but will not thrive.
C The coral will like bleach and eventually die.The coral will like bleach and eventually die.
D The coral is likely to adapt and thrive in these conditions.The coral is likely to adapt and thrive in these conditions.
Question 2
Based on the information provided, the most likely conclusion is B: The coral will likely continue to live, but will not thrive. The measured temperature and pH levels in Table 2 are below the ideal conditions for coral growth listed in Table 1. While the coral may still be able to survive in these conditions, it is likely that it will not be able to grow and thrive as well as it would in the ideal conditions.
The most likely conclusion based on the information provided is B. The coral will likely continue to live, but will not thrive. This is because the measured temperature (21°C) is below the minimum ideal temperature for coral growth (23°C), and the measured pH (8.2) is within the ideal range. While the coral may still survive in these conditions, it is not expected to experience optimal growth and may be more susceptible to stress or other negative impacts.
To determine the most likely conclusion based on the measured conditions, we need to compare them with the ideal conditions for coral growth.
Looking at Table 1, we can see that the ideal temperature for coral growth is between 23°C and 29°C, and the ideal pH is between 7.8 and 8.5.
In Table 2, the measured temperature is 21°C, which is below the minimum ideal temperature, and the measured pH is 8.2, which falls within the ideal pH range.
Based on this information, we can conclude that the temperature in the area is lower than the ideal range for coral growth. While the pH is within the ideal range, the suboptimal temperature may negatively affect the coral.
Therefore, the most likely conclusion is:
B. The coral will likely continue to live, but will not thrive.
This means that the coral may survive in these conditions, but it may not experience optimal growth and health.