Biology
Endosymbiotic Relationships in Coral-Zooxanthellae Under Thermal Stress
Quick fact
A temperature increase of just 1°C above the normal summer maximum can trigger coral bleaching, where corals expel their symbiotic algae and turn ghostly white. If the stress persists, the coral starves and dies.
Why this is interesting
Coral reefs are like underwater cities, but their vibrant colors come from tiny algae living inside them. What happens when the ocean gets too warm?