Question

question 3 of 5
scientists studying the great barrier reef noticed that mass spawning events tended
to follow specific lunar phases. their observations led to a model: light and
temperature conditions initiate an internal change in the coral, which is then
completed by a final moonlight cue. decades later, researchers like dr. simone
deboach and dr. henrik olsson expanded this model by proposing that
photoreceptor proteins in coral tissue act like environmental timers. these proteins,
they suggested, respond to changing light conditions and build up to a threshold
level, at which point spawning is triggered if water chemistry and salinity are
favorable. this model emphasized the timing between cues and the importance of
cumulative light exposure, suggesting a form of delayed biological integration.
1
however, recent work by dr. tara mun and her team at coastal light laboratory
directly challenged this idea. using light-sensitive dyes and microelectrodes, they
found no measurable buildup in photoreceptor protein levels over time. instead,
they discovered that spawning responses depended far more on species - specific
seasonality and favorable temperature than on a timing mechanism. their
based on the passage, compared to the amount of light produced by a full moon on a
clear night, the amount of artificial light some coral species need to trigger spawning is
a significantly greater.
b nearly the same.
c slightly less.
d significantly less.

Explanation:

The passage discusses coral spawning and how it's triggered. It mentions that a full - moon's light (natural light) is what cues the spawning. Artificial light on a clear night would likely be much less intense compared to the natural light of a full moon. Since the model emphasizes the importance of light (presumably natural moonlight - like intensity for spawning cues), artificial light on a clear night would be significantly less than the amount of light from a full moon.

Answer:

D. significantly less.