Oceanography Quiz For Beginners

The correct answer is "a close intimate relationship between two dissimilar organisms." This is because symbiosis refers to a mutually beneficial relationship between two different species, where they live closely together and interact with each other in a way that benefits both organisms. This relationship can take different forms, such as mutualism, where both organisms benefit, or parasitism, where one organism benefits at the expense of the other.

Clams and mussels are filter feeders because they obtain their food by filtering water and extracting small particles, such as plankton and detritus, from it. They have specialized structures called gills that help them filter the water, trapping food particles and allowing them to consume them. This feeding strategy is common among bivalve mollusks like clams and mussels, as it allows them to efficiently extract nutrients from the water column.

Marine algae is found in a sequence from sea surface to deeper water as green, brown, red. This is because green algae are commonly found in the shallowest waters near the surface, where they can receive ample sunlight for photosynthesis. Brown algae are typically found at slightly deeper depths, where they can still access enough light for photosynthesis but are also able to withstand more turbulent water conditions. Red algae are found in the deepest waters, as they are adapted to low light levels and can thrive in the absence of direct sunlight.

The correct answer is the variety of species in an area. Biodiversity in the oceans refers to the different types of species that can be found in a particular area. It is a measure of the richness and abundance of different organisms in a given ecosystem. This includes not only the number of individuals of each species but also the different types of species present. Biodiversity is important for the overall health and stability of ecosystems as it contributes to ecosystem functioning and provides various ecological services.

The correct answer is "benthos". Benthos refers to animals and plants that live attached to the bottom of a body of water, such as the ocean floor. This includes organisms like sea stars, corals, and seaweed. Phytoplankton refers to microscopic plants that float in the water, while zooplankton refers to small animals that also float in the water. Nekton refers to larger, more active organisms that can swim or move independently. Therefore, the correct answer is benthos, as it encompasses all the organisms that live attached to the bottom.

A coral polyp is the individual coral animal that forms the foundation of a coral colony. It is a tiny, cylindrical organism that attaches itself to a hard surface and secretes a calcium carbonate skeleton. The polyp has a mouth surrounded by tentacles that it uses to capture food and tiny algae called zooxanthellae, which live symbiotically within the polyp's tissues. The zooxanthellae provide the polyp with essential nutrients through photosynthesis, while the polyp provides the algae with a protected environment. Therefore, the correct answer is "polyp."

Animals that continually burrow through sediments are usually deposit feeders. This means they obtain their food by consuming organic matter and nutrients that are present in the sediments. These animals often have specialized adaptations, such as sifting or filtering structures, to extract food particles from the sediment. By continuously burrowing and ingesting sediments, deposit feeders play an important role in nutrient cycling and sediment reworking in aquatic ecosystems.

Filter feeders are animals that live on bits and pieces of organic material that are washed in from the sea or off the land. They use specialized structures or mechanisms to filter out food particles from the water or sediment. This allows them to obtain nutrients and energy from the organic material present in their environment. Examples of filter feeders include baleen whales, clams, and barnacles.

Zooxanthellae are a type of dinoflagellates that live in tropical corals. Corals have a mutualistic relationship with zooxanthellae, where the corals provide shelter and nutrients to the zooxanthellae, and in return, the zooxanthellae provide energy through photosynthesis. This relationship is crucial for the survival and growth of coral reefs.

The correct answer is "has a gene from another species." This means that the fish has been genetically modified to contain a gene from a different species. This gene could have been inserted for various reasons, such as to enhance certain traits or to study the effects of introducing foreign genes.

Coral reefs are formed by coral polyps and calcareous algae. Coral polyps are tiny organisms that secrete a hard exoskeleton made of calcium carbonate, which forms the structure of the reef. Calcareous algae also contribute to reef formation by depositing calcium carbonate. Together, these organisms create the framework for the reef to grow and develop.

Sea cucumbers burrow into the deep-ocean muds causing a process called bioturbation. Bioturbation refers to the disturbance of sediment layers by the activities of organisms, which helps to mix and oxygenate the sediment, promote nutrient cycling, and create habitats for other organisms. Sea cucumbers use their tube feet to burrow into the mud, ingesting the sediment and extracting organic matter from it. Their burrowing activities contribute to the overall health and productivity of deep-ocean ecosystems.

Detritus refers to the dead plant and animal material that is broken down and degraded by decomposers. This decomposed material is an important source of nutrients in marine ecosystems and plays a vital role in marine food webs. The reworking of deep-sea sediment by worms and sea cucumbers is a separate process and not directly related to the definition of detritus. Therefore, the correct answer is "former plant/animal material degraded by decomposers."

The relationship between the clown fish and the sea anemone is an example of symbiosis and mutualism. Symbiosis refers to a close and long-term interaction between two different species, where at least one species benefits. Mutualism is a type of symbiotic relationship where both species involved benefit from the interaction. In this case, the clown fish benefits by finding protection among the stinging tentacles of the sea anemone, while the sea anemone benefits from the clown fish's presence by getting rid of parasites and receiving nutrients from their waste.