Introduction To Marine Biology Exam

An ecosystem refers to the interaction between all living organisms and the non-living components (abiotic factors) in a specific area. It encompasses the relationships and dependencies between plants, animals, microorganisms, and their physical surroundings such as temperature, water, soil, and sunlight. This answer accurately describes the comprehensive nature of an ecosystem, highlighting the importance of both living and non-living elements in shaping its functioning and dynamics.

The correct answer is ecosystem. An ecosystem refers to the interaction between living organisms and their physical environment within a specific area. It includes all the living organisms, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms, as well as the non-living components like soil, water, and air. It encompasses the relationships and energy flow between different species and their environment. Therefore, an ecosystem is the appropriate term to describe the place where an organism lives, as it encompasses the entire ecological system within a given area.

Abiotic factors are non-living components of an ecosystem that can influence the organisms living in it. Examples of abiotic factors include salinity, substrate, temperature, and light. However, predation is not an abiotic factor because it involves the interaction between living organisms, specifically the act of one organism hunting and consuming another. Predation is considered a biotic factor as it involves the relationship between different living organisms within an ecosystem.

C2H12O6 is an organic substance because it is a carbohydrate known as glucose. Organic substances are compounds that contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms, and glucose fits this criteria as it consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. In contrast, H20 (water), CO2 (carbon dioxide), and O2 (oxygen) are inorganic substances as they do not contain carbon-hydrogen bonds.

A sea anemone would be part of the benthos marine lifestyle. Benthos refers to organisms that live on or near the ocean floor. Sea anemones are sessile creatures that attach themselves to rocks or other surfaces on the seabed. They are not capable of swimming or moving freely in the water column like plankton or nekton. Instead, they rely on their tentacles to capture prey that comes within their reach. Sea anemones are commonly found in coastal areas and are an important part of benthic ecosystems.

Commensalism is the correct answer because it refers to a type of relationship in which one partner benefits while the other is neither harmed nor helped. In commensalism, one organism benefits from the association, while the other is unaffected. This type of relationship is often seen in nature, where one organism may use another for transportation, shelter, or food without causing any harm or benefit to the host organism.

Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that occur within an organism. It includes processes such as breaking down food to obtain energy, converting nutrients into building blocks for cells, and eliminating waste products. Metabolism is essential for maintaining the overall functioning and survival of an organism. Cellular respiration is a specific metabolic process that involves the conversion of glucose and oxygen into energy, while chemosynthesis refers to the process by which certain organisms obtain energy by using inorganic compounds instead of sunlight.

In marine biology, the intertidal zone is the area between low and high tide. This zone experiences periodic changes in water level due to the rise and fall of tides, and it is characterized by its unique ecological conditions, including exposure to air during low tide and submersion during high tide. Organisms in the intertidal zone have adapted to these fluctuations and often face challenges associated with both terrestrial and marine environments.

Plankton in the ocean would be found in the pelagic zone. The pelagic zone refers to the open water column of the ocean, away from the coast and the seafloor. Plankton are microscopic organisms that float or drift in this zone, including both phytoplankton (plant-like) and zooplankton (animal-like). They are an essential part of the marine food chain, serving as a primary food source for many larger marine organisms. The pelagic zone provides the ideal conditions for plankton to thrive, as it receives ample sunlight for photosynthesis and contains nutrients necessary for their growth and reproduction.

Symbiosis refers to a mutually beneficial relationship between two different species. Reproduction is not generally a reason for symbiosis because symbiotic relationships are primarily based on the exchange of resources or services, rather than reproductive advantages. While reproduction can occur within a symbiotic relationship, it is not a defining characteristic or purpose of symbiosis.

A coral reef cannot be considered a niche because a niche refers to the specific role or position that an organism occupies within its ecosystem. It is a specialized area where an organism can find its resources, interact with other species, and fulfill its specific ecological function. In contrast, a coral reef is a complex ecosystem itself, consisting of various organisms and their interactions, rather than a specific role or position within an ecosystem.

Meroplankton are organisms that spend only a portion of their life cycle as plankton, typically during their larval stages. Larvae of many marine animals, such as fish, crabs, and mollusks, are meroplankton. They eventually develop into adult forms that are either nektonic (actively swimming) or benthic (living on the seafloor). Holoplankton, on the other hand, remain planktonic for their entire life cycle, and phytoplankton are photosynthetic organisms that are not in the zooplankton category.

The breaking down of organic matter (food) and releasing the energy it contains for use by an organism is known as cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process that occurs in cells, where organic molecules are oxidized to produce energy, typically in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which the cell can use for various functions. This process is common to most living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Decomposers are organisms that obtain energy by consuming organic matter that already exists. Unlike producers, which can produce their own food through photosynthesis, decomposers rely on breaking down dead organisms and organic waste to obtain nutrients and energy. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and breaking down organic material, contributing to the decomposition process and nutrient cycling. Nekton refers to aquatic organisms that can swim and move independently, while consumers are a broader category that includes organisms that obtain energy by consuming other organisms, including both herbivores and carnivores.

In the ocean, the "Twilight Zone" refers to the depth at which some light penetrates but is not sufficient for photosynthesis. This zone typically ranges from about 200 meters to 1000 meters below the surface. The light in this zone is too dim to support most photosynthetic life, which contrasts with the upper "Photic Zone," where there is enough light for photosynthesis. The Twilight Zone is characterized by its limited light, making it a unique and less explored area of the ocean with specialized marine life adapted to low-light conditions.

A Great White Shark would be part of the nekton marine lifestyle. Nekton refers to free-swimming organisms in the ocean, including fish, marine mammals like sharks, dolphins, and whales, as well as some squid and other active swimmers. These organisms are capable of independent horizontal movement and are not simply carried along by currents like plankton.

The animals that live within the sediment of the sea bottom are referred to as infauna. These organisms are adapted to burrow and dwell within the sediments of the ocean floor, making them an integral part of the benthic ecosystem.

Protein is not a micromolecule because it is a macromolecule. Micromolecules are small molecules that are typically involved in cellular processes, while macromolecules are larger and more complex structures. Proteins are composed of long chains of amino acids and have a wide range of functions in the body, such as enzyme catalysis, structural support, and cell signaling. Therefore, protein is not considered a micromolecule.

Benthic macrofauna refers to benthic animals that live within the sediment or burrow into the sea bottom. These animals are adapted to their environment and are often filter feeders or deposit feeders. They are not able to crawl about on the sea bottom or attach themselves firmly to it like sessile organisms. Epifauna refers to benthic animals that live on the surface of the sea bottom. Plankton refers to organisms that drift in the water column. Therefore, the correct answer is Epifauna.

The correct answer is benthos. Benthos refers to marine organisms that live in or on the bottom of the ocean or other bodies of water. Plankton, on the other hand, refers to organisms that drift in the water column and do not have the ability to swim against currents. Nekton refers to organisms that are able to swim and move independently in the water. Endotherms, on the other hand, are organisms that are able to maintain a constant body temperature.