Question

There is a type of algae that lives in the cells of corals. These algae process carbon through photosynthesis and pass it on to corals in the form of glucose, a sugar that provides the energy corals need to survive and function. Corals offer protection for the algae and also produce wastes that the algae need for photosynthesis. Warmer water temperatures caused by global warming disrupt photosynthesis in the algae, causing a poisonous build-up that threatens corals. This causes corals to force the algae out of their cells. Predict what will happen to the algae and corals if global warming continues.

Answer 1

Due to global warming, the climatic conditions such as rise in temperature of the coral habitat in the oceans changes. The corals become stressed by changes in conditions. Under these conditions, corals expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues. This turns corals completely white. This is called coral bleaching. Due to coral bleaching, it becomes more stressed and this can leads to its death. Algae also may not be able to survive alone.

Answer 2

If global warming continues, corals will continue to expel the algae from their cells to avoid poisonous build up. This will cause corals to die. Without corals, the algae are not protected and cannot perform photosynthesis. This will cause the algae to die as well.