Coral Bleaching

Eleven samples of a coral species (Acropora hyacinthus) were placed to a moderately variable heat pool (MV, in blue) or a highly variable heat pool (HV, in red). After the corals spent a period of time in their new environments, they were exposed to heat stress. The amount of chlorophyll that remains in the corals after heat stress was then measured. Which of the following conclusions would be supported by the data (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)

• Moderately Variable Heated corals were more resistant to bleaching

• Highly Variable Heated corals were more resistant to bleaching

• Zooxanthellae in moderately variable corals denatured more under heat stress

• Zooxanthellae in moderately variable corals denatured less under heat stress

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which of the following would have the greatest impact on the growth of coral reefs

• zero to low water pollution

• abundance of light

• changing water temperature

• narrow salinity range

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Examine the image. Which location would represent the least optimal location for the growth of coral polyps

• A

• B

• C

• D

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Why are most corals found in shallow, tropical water?

• Because the microalgae can not make their own food

• Because the fish make their own food

• Because the microalgae need the sun to photosynthesize

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NGSS.MS-LS1-6

The Graph shows how much light will penetrate will penetrate various depths of ocean water. Based on this data at what depth would coral reefs be unable to survive?

• 0 cm

• 10 cm

• 30 cm

• 40 cm

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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Based on the following data, where which of the locations would be the least ideal location for a coral reef to be located?

• Florida

• Brazil

• United Kingdom

• Australia

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which number would represent photosynthetic activity when zooxanthallae enzymes have been denatured?

• 1

• 2

• 3

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NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

in some species of zooxanthellae, the rate of photosynthesis is highly dependent on phycoerythrin. Based on the graph, most light absorption for these species would occur at what wavelength?

• 400

• 550

• 600

• 700

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NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

Researchers measured the amount of zooxanthellae symbiont present inside the body of corals. Which of the following accurately describes the results of the study?

• Symbiosis starts to fail at elevated temperatures

• Symbiosis remains stable at elevated temperatures

• Symbiosis is unaffected by temperature

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NGSS.HS-LS2-6

Researchers measured the photosynthetic yield (how much energy in produced) by zooxanthellae at different temperatures. Which of the following accurately describes the effects of corals being exposed to elevated temperatures for extended periods?

• Coral are able to obtain more energy from the zooxanthellae because they are receiving more sunlight

• Coral are able to obtain more energy from the zooxanthellae because photosynthetic yield increases over time.

• Coral are able to obtain less energy because the symbionts have been expelled

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5