Marine Biology Intro

Question 1

Pelagic

Answer 1

Within the water column between the surface ocean and deep ocean

Question 2

Benthic

Answer 2

In, on and close to the seafloor

Question 3

Planktonic organisms

Answer 3

Reside in the pelagic province. Drift with currents- some swim weekly

Question 4

Nektonic organisms

Answer 4

Active swimmers. Can migrate long distances.

Question 4

Benthic organisms

Answer 4

Live in, on or near the seabed. e.g. tidal pools, and abyssal plain. Most diverse grouping of marine organisms

Question 5

3 domains of biological classification

Answer 5

Bacteria and Archaea (Prokaryotes) and Eukaryotes- nucleus

Question 6

Autotrophs

Answer 6

Obtain energy from sunlight to fix carbon

Question 7

Heterotrophs

Answer 7

Cannot fix carbon, rely on organic carbon for growth

Question 8

Bacteria

Answer 8

Dominate microbial communities in all the less extreme habitats. Specialised in habitat conditions supporting their growth. Important role in ocean nutrient cycling

Question 9

Features of bacteria

Answer 9

Mostly unicellular, some multicellular. Mostly heterotrophic, some autotrophic.

Question 10

Archaea

Answer 10

Most primitive forms of life on Earth. Especially adept at exploiting environmental extremes

Question 11

4 kingdoms in the eukaryote domain

Answer 11

Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia

Question 12

Protista

Answer 12

Mostly unicellular but may be colonial or multicellular (rarely). Range from 2-200um. Maybe autotrophic, heterotrophic or mixotrophic

Question 13

Heterotrophic protists

Answer 13

Abundant as fossils for the last 540 million years- planktonic and benthic forms. Sedimentary deposits across global oceans

Question 14

Marine fungi

Answer 14

Very few exist. Heterotrophic-decompose organic matter. Found in nearly every marine habitat explored, from the surface ocean o kms below ocean sediments; abundant in shallow intertidal zone

Question 15

Plantae

Answer 15

Multicellular eukaryotes. Autotrophic. Mainly inner continental shelf where there is sufficient light

Question 16

Animalia

Answer 16

Multicellular heterotrophic eukaryotes, Metazoa. Both invertebrates and vertebrates

Question 17

Ecology

Answer 17

The study of the interaction of organisms with each other and with their physical and chemical environments

Question 18

Primary productivity

Answer 18

The amount of carbon fixed by organisms during photosynthesis. The quantity of organic matter synthesised from organic nutrients (C,N,P) by autotrophs

Question 19

What is primary productivity measured in?

Answer 19

g C m-3 d-1

Question 20

Photosynthesis

Answer 20

6CO2+6H2O–> C6H12O6+6O2

Question 21

Respiration

Answer 21

C6H12O6+6O2–>6CO2+6H2O

Question 22

Controlling factors

Answer 22

Light, nutrient availability (food), temperature, salinity, water chemistry, currents, waves, water pressure, substrate

Question 23

Thermocline

Answer 23

Strong temperature gradient below surface mixed layer

Question 24

Global surface water temperature range

Answer 24

-2C to 33C

Question 25

Water temperatures

Answer 25

Have a direct influence on species distribution and define latitudinal range

Question 26

Polar Cod

Answer 26

Can tolerate colder conditions (0-4C) due to antifreeze protein compounds in blood

Question 27

Salinity

Answer 27

The concentration dissolved salts i seawater (Cl-, Na+, SO42-, Mg2+,Ca2+, K+). Expressed as parts per thousand (%g/kg) , practical salinity units (psu) or dimensionless (no units)

Question 28

Salinity levels

Answer 28

In the open ocean, highest at tropical latitudes (20-30C) high evaporation. Lowest in polar regions: high precipitation, ice meltwater

Question 29

Mean ocean salinity

Answer 29

35% (range= 32-38%)

Question 30

Euryhaline

Answer 30

Species that tolerate a wide range of salinity e.g. oysters, estuarine environment (0-30%)

Question 31

Stenohaline

Answer 31

Species that tolerate a narrow range of salinity e.g. echinoderms, most open ocean organisms