Coral Reefs Have Been One of the Ecosystems Most Seriously

question 29

Multiple Choice

Coral reefs have been one of the ecosystems most seriously affected by climate change.Spikes of high temperature and acidity have killed more than half of all corals in some reef systems, including the Caribbean.A process called coral bleaching leaves the corals without color, appearing white.Coral bleaching occurs because the

• A) high acidity causes the coral skeleton to disintegrate.
• B) high temperature and acidity cause corals' algal symbionts to be expelled.
• C) corals' algal symbionts change color as temperature and acidity rise.
• D) acid caused by excess CO₂ has a bleaching effect on corals.
• E) increased water temperature has a bleaching effect on corals.

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Definitions:

Prostaglandins

A group of bioactive lipid compounds having diverse hormone-like effects in animals.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that serve as a major energy source for the body.

Polysaccharides

Large, complex carbohydrate molecules composed of many monosaccharide units joined together.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars that are the most basic form of carbohydrates, such as glucose and fructose, which cannot be hydrolyzed into simpler sugars.