Bio Lab Exam 1 Flashcards
What are fouling organisms?
Marine organisms that attach to submerged surfaces like ship hulls and docks.
Why are fouling organisms negative for human enterprise?
They increase drag on ships, reduce fuel efficiency, and cause damage to underwater structures.
What are the ecological benefits of fouling organisms?
They provide habitats and food sources for other marine life and contribute to biodiversity.
What is the definition of a biological community?
A group of interacting species living in the same habitat.
What is the definition of community succession?
The gradual process of change in species composition in an ecosystem over time.
What are the different stages of succession?
- Pioneer stage – Initial colonizers like bacteria and algae.
- Intermediate stage – More complex species like barnacles and mussels.
- Climax stage – Stable, long-lasting species such as corals and sponges.
What are the common parts of a microscope?
- Eyepiece
- Objective lenses
- Stage
- Coarse and fine focus knobs
- Light source
- Diaphragm
What is the function of a microscope?
Microscopes magnify small objects for detailed observation.
How are Earth’s geologic features distributed across the oceans?
- Mid-ocean ridges
- Deep-sea trenches
- Seamounts
- Abyssal plains
What are the major types of plate boundaries?
- Divergent – Mid-Atlantic Ridge
- Convergent – Subduction zones like the Mariana Trench
- Transform – San Andreas Fault
What type of geologic activity takes place at divergent boundaries?
Seafloor spreading and volcanic activity.
What do paleomagnetism strips show on either side of a spreading center?
Symmetrical patterns of magnetic reversals, indicating seafloor spreading.
How are lines of islands in the Pacific explained?
They are formed by hot spots, where magma rises through a stationary plume.
What do hot spots tell us about the direction of plate movement?
The trail of volcanic islands shows the direction and speed of plate movement.
What are exotic terrains?
Landmasses that have moved from their original location due to plate tectonics.
What is the difference between an active margin and a passive margin?
- Active margin – Tectonically active (e.g., U.S. West Coast).
- Passive margin – No tectonic activity, stable (e.g., U.S. East Coast).
How are Pacific and Atlantic type margins different?
- Pacific margins are active (earthquakes, volcanoes, trenches).
- Atlantic margins are passive (wide continental shelves, fewer earthquakes).
What are guyots?
Flat-topped seamounts that were originally volcanic islands that eroded and subsided.
What factors affect the density of water?
- Temperature
- Salinity
- Pressure
What does a pH meter measure?
Acidity.
What does an SCT meter measure?
Salinity, conductivity, temperature.
What is a refractometer used for?
Measures salinity using light refraction.
What does a hydrometer measure?
Liquid density.
What is the function of a volumetric flask?
Used for precise liquid measurements.
Which methods can determine water density?
- Measuring mass/volume directly.
- Using a hydrometer.
What factors affect dissolved oxygen?
- Temperature
- Salinity
- Water movement
- Biological activity (photosynthesis, respiration)
How is dissolved oxygen measured?
- Winkler titration
- Oxygen probes
Can dissolved oxygen be predicted?
Yes, based on temperature and salinity.
What does pH indicate about seawater?
Lower pH means more CO₂ and acidity.
How are pH and CO₂ related?
More dissolved CO₂ lowers pH.
What is the general equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
What is the general equation for respiration?
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
How does phenol red indicate photosynthesis?
It changes color with pH; less CO₂ (from photosynthesis) makes it more basic.
What happens to CO₂ levels in water as photosynthesis proceeds?
CO₂ decreases.
What were the two major groups of phytoplankton?
- Diatoms – Silica shells, found in cold waters.
- Dinoflagellates – Flagella for movement, bioluminescent.
What is the function of kelp mucus?
Protects from desiccation and pathogens.
What is the difference between seagrasses and halophytes?
- Seagrasses grow underwater.
- Halophytes tolerate salt but live in terrestrial environments.
What are the major parts of kelp thallus?
- Holdfast – Anchors kelp.
- Stipe – Stem-like structure.
- Blades – Leaf-like parts.
- Pneumatocyst – Gas-filled float.
What are the classifications of algae and plants?
- Brown algae (Phaeophyta) – Kelp, Sargasso weed.
- Green algae (Chlorophyta) – Sea lettuce.
- Red algae (Rhodophyta) – Corallina, Gelidium.
- Flowering plants (Anthophyta) – Surf grass, eelgrass.
