Marine Biology Midterm Study Guide Questions

Sketch a water molecule including its bond angle.

105° big oxygen two little hydrogens

Write the chemical formula for photosynthesis, then explain the process in your own words

6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2. This means that carbon dioxide and water react with energy from the sun to create glucose and oxygen.

Compare/contrast homeotherms and endotherms; give examples of each

A homeotherm (such as a whale) is an animal whose internal body temperature does not change. An endotherm (such as a tuna fish) is an animal whose internal body temperature is a result of internal sources of heat. Deep ocean creatures are examples of organisms that show the difference between homeotherms and endotherms. A deep ocean creature can't change its own internal body temperature, so it is not endothermic. Also, the deep ocean water rarely changes temperature, so its body temperature doesn't change, meaning it is homeothermic.

Explain how temperature and salinity affect the density of seawater.

A lower temperature means a lower density, and a higher salinity means a higher density.

Explain how temperature and salinity affect the density of seawater.

A lower temperature means a lower density, and a higher salinity means a higher density.(Page 23-24)

Name (with correct spelling) the five kingdoms of living things

Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, Protista, Monera

Contrast sexual and asexual reproduction

Asexual reproduction is accomplished by a single organism, while sexual reproduction requires the union of gametes from two organisms: a male and a female

Describe what features are found at convergent and divergent plate boundaries.

At convergent plate boundaries (when two plates collide and form trenches) volcanos are the most common feature. At divergent plate boundaries (when plates move away from each other at mid ocean ridges), earthquakes are the most common feature.

Contrast the roles of heterotrophic bacteria (decomposers/parasites) and autotrophic bacteria (primary producers) in the marine environment

Autotrophic bacteria are responsible for producing their own food using photosynthesis and/or chemosynthesis. This is important because organisms such as heterotrophic bacteria (decomposers and parasites) obtain food from other organisms, including those primary producers. Heterotrophic bacteria are also important because the decomposers consume the dead organisms of the ocean. If they did not do this, the dead organisms would pile up like trash.

Contrast autotrophs (primary producers) and heterotrophs

Autotrophs have the ability to create their own food and heterotrophs obtain their food from other organisms.

Compare/contrast poikilotherms and ectotherms; give examples of each

Both poikilotherms and ectotherms are organisms who's body temperature changes due to the environment. However, an ectotherm (such as a salmon) is an organism that cannot generate its own heat, while a poikilotherm's body temperature changes with its surrounding environment. A large tuna fish is not ectothermic, because it generates its own heat, yet it is still poikilothermic because its body temperature changes based on the water temperature. This is where poikilotherms and ectotherms differ.

Write the chemical formula for cellular respiration, then explain the process in your own words

C6H1O6 + 6O2→6CO2+ 6H2O+ATP. This means that glucose and oxygen react to make carbon dioxide, water, and ATP or energy.

Describe the characteristics of cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria commonly called blue-green algae. They are not algae, however, because they are prokaryotic (have no membrane-bound organelles), while true algae are eukaryotic (have membrane-bound organelles). Cyanobacteria are found nearly everywhere in creation, and are known for being responsible for red tide. Red tide is an overpopulation of cyanobacteria that can be harmful to humans.

Compare and contrast diffusion and osmosis

Diffusion concerns the movement of any molecule from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, while osmosis is the diffusion of only water across a selectively permeable membrane. Diffusion can occur with any molecule, and osmosis only occurs with water.

Describe the physical characteristics of dinoflagellates and explain why they are considered phytoplankton

Dinoflagellates are organisms that have two flagella, one wrapped around their middles, and one trailing behind them, they tend to be bell-shaped. They are considered phytoplankton because they are microscopic, unicellular algae that float in the water.

Describe three ways that diatoms reproduce; define auxospore

Firstly, they can reproduce asexually by splitting their frustules or shredding their frustules. They can also reproduce by forming directly into an auxospore and producing gametes. This fertilization results in an auxospore. An auxospore is a naked cell created by a diatom for the purpose of reproducing.

Contrast foraminiferans, radiolarians, and ciliates in terms of their structure and habitats

Foraminiferans are round organisms that have a shell made of calcium carbonate called a test. They are bottom dwellers and live on the seafloor or attached to plants or animals. When they die, their tests sink to the bottom of the ocean floor and create foraminiferan ooze. Radiolarians are organisms with shells made mostly of silica, they are spherical and have needle-like pseudopodia that protrude through their shells to obtain food. When they die, their silica shells sink to the bottom of the ocean floor and create radiolarian ooze. Ciliates are protozoans that have hair like cilia that provide a means of locomotion and can be used for feeding. They are found among bottom sediments or in unusual places on the bodies of marine animals.

Explain the importance of multicellular algae in the marine environment

Green Algae are responsible for 40% of sediment production, Brown Algae are harvested for food, and Red Algae are a source of carrageenan which is an emulsifying agent for food.

Contrast meroplankton and holoplankton

Holoplankton spend all their lives as plankton, while meroplankton are typically larval stages of organisms that can swim against currents once they mature.

Explain how hydrogen bonding contributes to water's surface tension and high specific heat.

Hydrogen bonds help regulate temperature by creating surface tension. It lets water have a high specific heat because, in order for the temperature to increase, the hydrogen bond has to be destroyed.

Explain why water's polarity makes it an ideal solvent for ionic compounds.

Ions have a stronger charge than the slight charges of water molecules, so when a salt crystal is placed in water, the strong electric charges on the ions attract water molecules, causing a layer of water molecules to surround each ion. This weakens the attractions that hold the salt crystal together and it causes the crystal to break apart, or dissolve.

Explain how an echinoderm's water vascular system works using the terms madreporite and tube feet.

It is used for locomotion, food waste, and can also be used to give added force to the Echinoderm (sea stars can use it to pry open the shells of a clam). connects to outside using madreporite

List the levels of the Linnaean classification system in order from largest (kingdom) to smallest (species)

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species

Explain what causes tides.

Lunar Tides are caused by changes in gravity that occur by various alignments of the sun and the moon.

Distinguish between three types of symbiosis: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism

M - both benefit, C - one benefit one neither harmed nor benefit P -one benefit, other harmed

Describe nitrogen-fixing and explain the importance of this process for life on earth

Nitrogen Fixation is the process of taking atmospheric nitrogen (N2) and converting it into (NO3-). This is important because primary producers can't use N2, so cyanobacteria and a few other organisms convert it to NO3- which they can use.

Describe the effect of ocean currents on the climate of cities near the ocean.

Ocean currents cause temperature changes in water because they bring water of varying temperatures to certain cities. For example, on the west coast of North America, the current loop carries cold water from the Arctic southward. As a result, the ocean water is colder on the west coast of North America.

Contrast oceanic crust and continental crust.

Oceanic Crust is more dense, thinner, and younger than continental crust. Continental Crust is less dense, thicker, and older than the other type of crust

Explain the role of each of the dissolved gases in marine organisms' life processes.

Organisms use nitrogen to build proteins and DNA. All organisms need oxygen for respiration. Bacteria use oxygen to decompose dead organisms. Marine plants require carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

Label, describe, and give the function of the following parts of a sponge on a diagram: Osculum, Pore, Choanocyte or Collar cell, Amoebocyte, and Spicule

Os - top hole, Pore - little hole, Collar cell little sp looking, Am- littlewierd stuff on collar cell, spicule - x shaped

Contrast osmoconforming and osmoregulating and give examples of organisms that use each method

Osmoconformers, such as the soft shell clam, conform to their surrounding environments by allowing their internal concentration of dissolved substances to change and match the external concentration of dissolved substances. Osmoregulators, such as Salmon, maintain body concentrations that are different from that of the surrounding water by regulating their own internal concentration of dissolved substances.

Contrast how photosynthetic and chemosynthetic bacteria obtain energy; would you consider both kinds of bacteria to be primary producers? Why or why not?

Photosynthetic bacteria obtain energy for photosynthesis from the sun. They convert this energy into food. Chemosynthetic bacteria use chemicals such as hydrogen gas or sulfide as energy. They convert this energy into food. They are both primary producers because a primary producer is a bacteria that makes their own food, and both photosynthetic bacteria and chemosynthetic bacteria make their own food.

Explain the critical importance of phytoplankton to humans' ability to live on Earth

Phytoplankton produce around 50% of the oxygen we breathe, making their presence extremely vital.

Contrast the structure of plant cells and animal cells

Plant cells have Chloroplasts, a cell wall, and a large central vacuole. Animal cells, don't have chloroplasts or a cell wall, and they have a much smaller vacuole.

Contrast the medusa and polyp forms of coelenterates

Polyp - attached and appears sac like. Medusa - free swimming appearing umbrella like

Compare/contrast the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

Prokaryotes are organisms made of simple cells that have no membrane-bound organelles. Eukaryotes are organisms made of complex cells that contain membrane-bound organelles

Explain why all organisms must carry out respiration but not all organisms carry out photosynthesis

Respiration converts food such as glucose to usable ATP (energy). All organisms need to break down food and convert it to energy. However, not all organisms make their own food. Some perform photosynthesis (autotrophs) and some are heterotrophs (get their food from other organisms. Therefore, while all organisms must carry out respiration, not all carry out photosynthesis.

Give examples of marine organisms displaying each type of symmetry

S - volvox, R - Sea Anemone B - dolphin/flatworm

Define "salinity" and state the ocean's average salinity in parts per thousand.

Salinity is the total amount of salt dissolved in a solvent. The ocean's average salinity is 32 parts per thousand.

Name three true plants that are found in marine environments and describe the adaptation(s) that allow each one to live in a marine habitat

Seagrasses, saltwater marsh plants, and mangroves. They have salt-tolerant root systems

Define spherical, bilateral, and radial symmetry.

Spherical - any cut through the organisms center results in identical halves. Radial - any longitudinal cut through the organisms central axis results in identical halves. Bilateral - only one longitudinal cut through the center results in identical halves

Contrast spring tides and neap tides.

Spring-tide is a time of the tide with the largest tidal range. This is due to the gravitational pull of the sun and moon when they are aligned. A neap tide, however, is a time of smallest tidal range. This is due to the sun and moon being located at right angles to each other, rather than being aligned.

Explain how subduction is responsible for ocean crust destruction.

Subduction destroys seafloor when two plates collide.

Contrast the properties of seawater above and below the thermocline.

Surface water (above the thermocline) is warmer and less dense, while deep water (under the thermocline) is colder and denser.

Explain what is meant by filter or suspension feeding

Suspension feeders obtain their food from filtering out plankton and other particles of organic matter that are in the water.

State and explain the Coriolis Effect.

The Coriolis effect is the way in which the rotation of the earth bends the path of winds and resulting sea currents. The Coriolis effect occurs because, near the equator, the earth spins faster than at the poles. Due to this, winds rotate counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. This rotation causes objects to veer off their assumed "straight-lined" course.

Name the five major "oceans" of the world.

The Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Southern Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean.

Describe the structure and composition of a diatom frustule

The frustule is a glass-like cell wall covered with tiny holes so that dissolved gases and nutrients can enter the cell.

Explain how zooplankton (animal-like protists) differ from phytoplankton (plant-like protists)

The main difference between zooplankton and phytoplankton is in the way they obtain food. zooplankton are heterotrophs and ingest food, while phytoplankton are autotrophs and photosynthesize to make their own food.

Describe the functions of the blade, pneumatocyst, stipe, and holdfast in multicellular algae

The main purpose of the blade is to provide more surface area. The main purpose of the pneumatocyst is to help the seaweed float. The main purpose of the stipe is to connect all the other parts of a seaweed to each other. The hold fast's purpose is to anchor the seaweed to the ground.

Explain why the ocean is blue.

The ocean is blue because blue wavelengths of light are not absorbed until deeper in the ocean than all other colors.

Describe the structure of the plasma membrane (a.k.a. "cell membrane") and explain its role in regulating diffusion

The plasma membrane is the external boundary between the cell and its environment. It helps regulate diffusion because it acts as the gatekeeper and decides what enters and exits the cell.

Describe how water pressure changes with depth and explain why it changes so dramatically.

The pressure in the ocean increases drastically with depth because the ocean creatures experience the weight of water above them as well as the air above the water.

List the seven major ions and the three most abundant dissolved gases found in seawater.

The seven major ions are Chloride, Sodium, Sulfate, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Bicarbonate. The most abundant dissolved gases are Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide, and Oxygen.

Explain how coelenterates obtain their nutrition using the terms tentacles, nematocysts, and gastrovascular cavity

The tentacles can paralyze prey using their nematocysts. the food is brought to the gastrovascular cavity where it is digested.

Describe/define the thermocline.

The thermocline is a zone about 200-1500 meters deep. It is a transitional zone where the temperature drops rapidly between the warmer layer on top and the colder layer below

Explain how prevailing winds cause surface currents and gyres.

The three prevailing wind belts in the Northern Hemisphere are Polar easterlies, westerlies, and trade winds. These push against the ocean surface, causing the water to move and form gyres and currents.

Describe the general body structure of a sponge and the direction of water movement through it using the terms laterally and apically

The water enters laterally through the pores and exits apically through the osculum.

Define thermohaline circulation and explain its importance in the oceans.

Thermohaline circulation is a process where The water heats up enough to move upwards and then cools enough to move back downwards and then heats up again, etc. This helps bring warm water to the polar regions.

List the six characteristics shared by all living things

They are made of cells, sense and respond to change, reproduce, have DNA, use energy, grow and develop

Describe the general body structure of coelenterates

They display a form of symmetry

Explain why multicellular algae do not require a vascular system as true plants do

They do not need a water vascular system, because they absorb nutrients by being constantly bathed in water, so the cells can obtain nutrients individually.

Explain two ways different fungi obtain energy

They either absorb dead organisms, or depend on a symbiotic relationship to obtain their food.

Use the terms ectoderm, mesoglea, and endoderm to describe the body tissues of coelenterates

They have a jelly like body layer called the mesoglea. The mesoglea is sandwiched between two tissue layers the ectoderm (which is on the outside) and the endoderm (on the inside).

Describe three ways in which sponges can reproduce

This sponge could reproduce by budding (forming a growth that eventually pinches off and forms a new sponge) or by regeneration (breaking off a piece of itself and forming a new sponge from it). or the collar cell can develop into gametes and form a larva

List three examples of unicellular algae that are classified as phytoplankton

Three examples are Diatoms, Dinoflagellates, and cyanobacteria.

List three examples of multicellular algae, more commonly known as seaweed

Three examples are Green Algae, Brown Algae, and Red Algae

List three examples of organisms that are classified as zooplankton

Three examples of zooplankton are Foraminiferans, Radiolarians, and Ciliates.

Explain how sponges obtain nutrition (include the roles of choanocytes and amoebocytes)

Water enters the sponge through the pores, where collars on collar cells collect food and pass it to the amoebocytes to be digested. The flagellum propels the filtered water through the sponge and out the osculum.

Identify the direction water would flow due to osmosis in given situations

Water flows from areas that have a higher concentration to areas with a lower concentration

Explain how seafloor spreading is responsible for ocean crust formation.

When plates move away from eachother, magma comes up from the mantle.

Explain the importance of zooplankton in the marine environment

Zooplankton such as krill are a major food source for many larger marine mammals such as blue whales, crustaceans, and tuna fish.

Describe two characteristics shared by mollusks (a bilaterally symmetric soft body covered by a mantle and a one-way gut with two openings)

a bilaterally symmetric soft body covered by a mantle and a one-way gut with two openings

Define/describe delayed implantation

a delay in implantation of an embryo in the uterus so that the baby is born at the right time

Explain the purpose of an operculum

a horny plate that forms a lid over the opening of the shell when the head and foot are pulled inside

Describe the basic body plan of gastropods with shells

a stomach foot body shape.

Class Gastropoda: Name three organisms in this class (e.g., abalone, nudibranchs, snails)

abalone, nudibranchs, snails

Contrast how toothed whales and baleen whales eat; give a specific example of each kind of whale

baleen sich as blue whale filter feed through their baleen.. tootthed like dolphins eat prey carnivorous with thei rteetn

Describe two ways bivalves differ from gastropods

bivales lack radula and have a hinged two piece shell

Krill, shrimps, and larger crustaceans have a cephalothorax covered by a carapace. Be able to define/describe both of these terms

ceph - head and thorax, carapace - armored shield covers anterior portion

Briefly explain how some cetaceans echolocate

clicks are emitted and bounce against something, sent to head where see an image

Order Sirenia (manatees, dugongs, sea cows)

dorsoventrally flattened tail, slow movieng, herbivorous

List four ways in which cetaceans might communicate with each other

ehcolocation, vocolizatio, moveement

Define regeneration and explain its importance to echinoderms

enchinoderms can regenrate from having an arm cut off

Class Aves- Name five marine members of this class

gulls, puffins, penguins, shearwaters, albatrosses

Explain how nudibranchs differ from other gastropods

have no shell. "naked gills"

Describe the basic body plan of cephalopods

head foot body plan

Name the three body segments of all arthropods (Note that in some larger arthropods, the first two body segments are fused to form the cephalothorax)

head, abdomen, thorax cephalothorax

List some of the "smaller" members of this class and explain their importance in the marine environment

krill, isopods, amphipods are food for many larger animals sich as whales,

Model hydrogen bonding of water molecules.

little to big

List identifying characteristics shared by all mammals

live birth, hair, warm blooded, produce milk

Explain how most cephalopods obtain their food and how they move

oct - they are heterotrophs and their hawk like beak can bite into prey. some can inject a paralizing poison squid - catch prey with their two tentacles

List identifying characteristics shared by all birds

oil coating salt glands, preen fathers

Describe the difference between an open and closed circulatory system

open - blood exits the blood vessels and flows into the body cavities, comes in direct contact with cells. closed - blood stays in vessels all the time

Use the words oral and aboral to distinguish between the "sides" of a coelenterate

oral - side with mouth, aboral - side w/o mouth

Explain how sea stars eat

prey on slow moving animals it can evert its stomach and digest someting

Explain how to distinguish between seals and sea lions

sea lion walks on land by moving its rear flipper forwards, a seal can only crawl because it cant move its flippers forward

Class Reptilia- Name three marine members of this class

sea snake, sea turtle, aligators

Explain why arthropods must molt

shell becomes too small

Explain how bivalves obtain food using the term siphons

siphons suck and expel seawater while tiny gills beat back and forth. this creates a current that pulls in water so food is trapped and swept to the mouth

Describe how gastropods obtain food using the term radula

the radula scrapes food into the mouth of mollusks

Explain how birds maintain their waterproof feathers

they are covered with a coating of oil they get from a gland near their tail

Describe the purpose of a bivalve's muscular foot

they can burrow in teh sand

Explain why deep-diving marine mammals do not get the bends

they have flexible rib cages that allow theri lungs to collapse and the air is moved and cant get excess nitrogen in it

List identifying characteristics shared by all reptiles

tough dry scales, salt gland, eggs mostly laid on land

Describe the unique body design and feeding behavior of members of this class that distinguish them from cetaceans

up

List and describe at least two ways that marine mammals communicate with one another

us vocalizations sounds