Question

imagine scuba diving at a coral reef. you see vivid colors and fascinating shapes. its exciting, but coral reefs are more than a beautiful sight. reefs provide habitat and protection for many species of marine life. they protect shorelines and reduce flood and storm damage. they support fishing and supply food and medicines for people. but coral reefs are in danger. coral bleaching is hurting them. scientists want to help.
how do coral reefs form?
a reef is made of living things. various species of coral have different shapes. each coral is a group of tiny animals called polyps. polyps have long, arm - like parts called tentacles. they capture prey with them. many coral species
question 3
what cause - and - effect relationship is described in this article?
a. increased salt content in ocean water protects coral shells from acidity.
b. environmental changes allow algae to provide food for the coral.
c. the burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
d. algae respond to stress by building an exoskeleton around themselves.

Explanation:

The article discusses coral reefs and their relationship with environmental factors. Coral bleaching is a significant issue. The burning of fossil fuels (option C) emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This leads to increased carbon dioxide in the ocean, causing ocean acidification. Ocean acidification is harmful to coral reefs as it affects the ability of corals (which are made up of polyps) to build their skeletons. Algae (which have a symbiotic relationship with coral polyps, providing food) may respond to stress (but this is about the cause - fossil fuel burning leading to CO₂ emissions is the root cause in the context of the options given as it starts the chain of events affecting coral reefs). Increased salt content (option A) is not the main cause - effect relationship described here. Environmental changes allowing algae to provide food (option B) is more of a normal symbiotic aspect rather than the cause - effect related to the harmful impact (like coral bleaching) which is often linked to increased CO₂ from fossil fuel burning. Algae building exoskeletons around themselves (option D) is incorrect as coral polyps build the coral structure (exoskeleton - like in a sense as coral reefs are made of the hard parts of polyps over time). The key is that burning fossil fuels (option C) emits CO₂ (into the atmosphere, which then dissolves in the ocean affecting coral reefs).

Answer:

C. The burning of fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.