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:

Coordinate Growth

The process by which various parts of an organism grow at rates that maintain the overall shape and proportion of the organism.

Endocrine Stimulation

The activation or increase of hormonal activity by the endocrine glands in the body.

Nervous Stimulation

A process involving the activation or excitation of nerve cells or the nervous system, leading to a physiological response.

Specific Receptor

A specialized cell or molecule that recognizes and binds to a particular ligand, such as a neurotransmitter or hormone, to initiate a cellular response.