7
QuizMultiple Choice

Succession and Extinction — Quiz

Question 7 • TPS EdX Biology

How does a whale fall community affect ocean sediment?

Answer
A
The bacteria that are attracted break down the sediment nearby.
B
The remains of the whale pollute the sediment.
C
The sediment is transformed into food for mussels and crabs.
D
The decomposition of the whale enriches the sediment.

Explanation

As a whale’s body decomposes on the seafloor, it releases nutrients and organic material into the surrounding sediment. This enrichment supports microbes and other organisms in the whale-fall community. Therefore, the best answer is that decomposition of the whale enriches the sediment.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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