Question
A 5,500-mile-long mass of this seaweed reached a record size in 2022 and threatens tourism by smothering beaches in the Gulf of Mexico. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this genus of brown algae that uses gas-filled pneumatophores to create floating mats that many animals find habitat in.
ANSWER: Sargassum
[10m] Sargassum has drawn attention as it can harbor bacteria of this genus, including the "flesh-eating" species vulnificus. A bacterium in this genus secretes the toxin CTX, which is mitigated by oral rehydration therapy.
ANSWER: Vibrio [vulnificus or cholerae]
[10e] Among the animals who depend on Sargassum are the "loggerhead" and "green" species of these marine reptiles.
ANSWER: sea turtles [or marine turtles or Chelonioidea; prompt on turtles]
<June Yin , Science - Biology - Organisms>
Summary
| 2023 NASAT | 06/17/2023 | Y | 9 | 16.67 | 89% | 44% | 33% |
Data
| California | Illinois Orange | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Illinois White | Kentucky A | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Missouri A | Illinois Blue | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
| Arkansas | Kentucky B | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Missouri B | Liberia | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Maryland Gold | PENNSYLVANIA | 0 | 10 | 10 | 20 |
| New Jersey A | Asia A | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Maryland Red | Ohio | 0 | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Virginia | New Jersey B | 0 | 10 | 10 | 20 |