Scl #2 Ocean Beach Hw, Terms Table and Ticket Flash Quiz

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| Attempts: 185 | Questions: 24 | Updated: Mar 22, 2025
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1. Why do supra tidal organisms dig burrows in the sand?

Explanation

Supra tidal organisms dig burrows in the sand to avoid extreme temperatures and dry conditions on the surface. The burrows provide a more stable and cooler environment, protecting them from the heat and dehydration. By staying underground, they can regulate their body temperature and retain moisture, allowing them to survive in harsh conditions. This behavior helps them adapt and thrive in the supra tidal zone, where they would otherwise be exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions.

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Scl #2 Ocean Beach Hw, Terms Table and Ticket Flash Quiz - Quiz

This quiz, titled 'SCL #2 Ocean Beach HW, Terms Table and Ticket Flash Quiz', assesses knowledge on ocean beach habitats, sediment types, and salinity levels. It is designed to enhance understanding of shoreline processes and marine environments, suitable for students in environmental and marine sciences.

2. Identify a key adaptation of the mole crab and coquina clam for living in the in the ocean beach intertidal zone:

Explanation

Both the mole crab and coquina clam have adapted to living in the intertidal zone by burrowing rapidly into the sand. The coquina clam burrows as a wave recedes, while the mole crab burrows backward each time a wave advances. This adaptation allows them to avoid being washed away by the waves and provides them with protection from predators. By burrowing into the sand, they are able to stay in the intertidal zone and continue to feed on the nutrients available in the area.

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3. What does the word "phytoplankton" mean?

Explanation

The word "phytoplankton" is derived from the Greek words "phyto" meaning plant and "plankton" meaning wanderer. Therefore, the correct answer is "Plant wanderer" as it accurately describes phytoplankton, which are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that drift in bodies of water.

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4. What is a pelecypod?

Explanation

A pelecypod is a type of organism that has two shells, also known as a bivalve. Bivalves are characterized by their hinged shells, which can open and close. Examples of bivalves include clams, oysters, and mussels. These organisms are filter feeders, meaning they obtain food by filtering water and extracting nutrients from it. The two shells provide protection and support for the soft body of the organism.

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5. The kind of sediment deposited in shoreline habitats depends on:

Explanation

Water turbulence refers to the movement and agitation of water in a shoreline habitat. It is responsible for the transportation and deposition of sediment in these habitats. When water is turbulent, it has a higher velocity and is able to carry and transport larger particles of sediment. This results in the deposition of coarser sediments, such as sand and gravel, in shoreline habitats. On the other hand, when water is calm and less turbulent, it is only able to transport and deposit finer sediments, such as silt and clay. Therefore, the type of sediment deposited in shoreline habitats is influenced by the level of water turbulence.

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6. What is a berm and where is it found?

Explanation

A berm is a supratidal ledge of sand that is found at the high tide line. It is a raised area of sand that acts as a natural barrier between the ocean and the land. The berm is formed by the deposition of sand by waves and tides, and it helps to protect the land from erosion caused by high tides and storm surges. The berm is an important feature of coastal ecosystems and provides habitat for a variety of plants and animals.

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7. What kind of sediments settle on the ocean beach?

Explanation

Coarse sand is the correct answer because sediments that settle on the ocean beach are typically larger in size and coarser in texture. Coarse sand particles are heavier and are often deposited closer to the shore due to the action of waves and currents. Silt and clay particles, on the other hand, are finer and lighter, and they tend to be carried further offshore. Gravel is also a possibility, but it is less common on ocean beaches compared to coarse sand.

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8. Ocean beach habitats have three distinct zones:

Explanation

The correct answer is the subtidal zone of crashing breakers with swirling sand and shallow water; the intertidal zone, alternately covered and exposed by tidal waters; and the dry, sandy supratidal zone extending to the base of the sand dunes. This answer accurately describes the three distinct zones found in ocean beach habitats. The subtidal zone refers to the area below the low tide mark, where the waves crash and there is swirling sand and shallow water. The intertidal zone is the area that is alternately covered and exposed by tidal waters. And the supratidal zone is the dry, sandy area that extends to the base of the sand dunes.

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9. Oxygen is plentiful in the ocean beach habitat because of which three factors:

Explanation

The correct answer is "wind coming off the ocean, the presence of water coming in with the tides and in the space between the sand sediment." This is because wind coming off the ocean helps to mix the oxygen into the water, while the presence of water coming in with the tides brings in fresh oxygen-rich water. Additionally, the space between the sand sediment allows for oxygen to dissolve and be available for organisms in the habitat.

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10. What is the average salinity of the ocean?

Explanation

The average salinity of the ocean is 35 ppt. Salinity refers to the concentration of salt in water, and ppt stands for parts per thousand. This means that for every 1000 parts of water, there are 35 parts of salt. Salinity can vary in different parts of the ocean due to factors such as evaporation, precipitation, and freshwater inflow from rivers. However, the average salinity across the entire ocean is approximately 35 ppt.

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11. Phytoplankton are_______________________

Explanation

Phytoplankton are free floating microscopic plants that are the basis of the marine food chain. They are responsible for producing a significant amount of the Earth's oxygen and are a vital food source for many marine organisms. Phytoplankton convert sunlight and nutrients into organic matter through photosynthesis, serving as primary producers in the marine ecosystem. They form the foundation of the food chain, as they are consumed by zooplankton, which are then eaten by larger organisms, creating a complex web of energy transfer and nutrient cycling in the ocean.

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12. What kind of sediment settle in the sound?

Explanation

Fine silt is the kind of sediment that settles in the sound. Silt particles are smaller than sand but larger than clay particles. They have a smooth texture and can be easily transported by water. In a sound, which is a body of water partially enclosed by land, the water movement is relatively calm, allowing fine silt to settle and accumulate over time. This sediment is typically deposited in layers and can contribute to the formation of mudflats or marshes in the sound ecosystem.

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13. Bottom dwellers like sand dollars, urchins and starfish are unable to swim and so they move along the sandy substrate by:

Explanation

Bottom dwellers like sand dollars, urchins, and starfish are unable to swim, so they rely on hundreds of minute tubelike "feet" to move along the sandy substrate. These feet, known as tube feet, are small, flexible structures located on the underside of their bodies. By extending and contracting these tube feet, the organisms can create a crawling motion, allowing them to move across the sand. This method of locomotion is characteristic of echinoderms, which include sand dollars, urchins, and starfish.

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14. Strong winds effect the ocean beach habitat. Strong winds (of at least 10 mph) cause fine sand particles to bounce and mound into piles this is called:

Explanation

Strong winds (of at least 10 mph) can cause fine sand particles to bounce and mound into piles. This process is known as saltation.

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15. Tides- the daily cycle of 2 high and 2 low tidal flow of water onto and into a low lying shore area caused by the:

Explanation

The tides are caused by the gravitational pull of both the moon and the sun on Earth. The moon's gravitational pull is stronger than the sun's, which is why it has a greater influence on the tides. As the moon orbits around the Earth, it creates a bulge of water on the side of the Earth facing the moon, causing a high tide. On the opposite side of the Earth, there is also a high tide due to the centrifugal force caused by the Earth and moon's rotation around their common center of mass. The sun's gravitational pull also contributes to the tides, although its effect is less significant compared to the moon.

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16. Most supratidal animals are ____________ that feed on debris and detritus along the strand line.

Explanation

Supratidal animals are those that live in the area above the high tide line. Since they feed on debris and detritus along the strand line, they are likely to be scavengers. Scavengers are organisms that consume dead or decaying organic matter, which aligns with the behavior described in the question. Decomposers break down organic matter, producers create their own food through photosynthesis, and herbivores consume plants. None of these options accurately describe the feeding habits of supratidal animals.

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17. Coarse sand settles in the intertidal zone because:

Explanation

Coarse sand settles in the intertidal zone because turbulent ocean waves can carry coarse sediment and deposit it on the shoreline. Turbulent waves have a high energy level and can pick up larger particles like coarse sand. As these waves crash onto the shoreline, they lose their energy and drop the sediment they were carrying, resulting in the deposition of coarse sand in the intertidal zone.

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18. Intertidal beach life is nourished largely by _______________ brought in by ____________.

Explanation

Intertidal beach life is nourished largely by plankton, which is brought in by tides. Plankton refers to the tiny organisms that float in the water, including both phytoplankton (plant-like organisms) and zooplankton (animal-like organisms). These organisms form the base of the food chain in the intertidal zone, providing nutrients for larger organisms. Tides, the rise and fall of the ocean's water levels, bring in the plankton from deeper waters, allowing the intertidal beach life to thrive.

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19. What is a gastropod?

Explanation

A gastropod is a type of mollusk that possesses a single shell, distinguishing it from other mollusks such as bivalves or pelecypods that have two shells. The fact that it is described as a marine snail further emphasizes its characteristics, as snails are commonly associated with gastropods due to their similar shell structure and habitat.

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20. Debris and detritus are deposited ___________________

Explanation

Debris and detritus are deposited at the high tide line because this is the area where the highest point of the tide reaches during high tide. As the tide recedes, it leaves behind the debris and detritus it carried with it, resulting in their accumulation at the high tide line. This area is typically marked by a distinct line of seaweed, shells, and other materials left behind by the tide.

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21. The action of ____________________ sweeps larger shell particles and sand across the substrate surface, sometimes causing abrasions or burying plants and animals.

Explanation

Waves have the ability to move larger shell particles and sand across the substrate surface. This movement can sometimes lead to abrasions or burying of plants and animals. Waves are formed due to the transfer of energy from the wind to the water surface, causing it to move in a circular motion. As the waves approach the shore, their energy is concentrated, leading to increased erosion and sediment transport. Therefore, waves are responsible for the action described in the question.

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22. Which gastropod has a radula? What is a radula used for?

Explanation

The correct answer is that an olive shell has a radula, which is used to drill into a pelecypod (bivalve) that serves as its prey. The radula is a specialized feeding organ found in most mollusks, including gastropods. It is a ribbon-like structure with rows of tiny teeth that are used for scraping, cutting, or drilling through food sources. In the case of the olive shell, its radula is specifically adapted for drilling into the hard shell of a pelecypod, allowing it to access the soft tissues inside and consume its prey.

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23. Ghost crabs are unique organisms that live in deep tunnels with front and back entrances. They rarely leave their burrow during the day. Though they live in the dunes, the female deposits eggs in the ocean and the young develop there. How do ghost crabs breathe?

Explanation

Ghost crabs have gills and they need to keep them wet with ocean water in order to breathe. This is because gills extract oxygen from water and allow the crab to breathe. Once the crabs come on land, they switch to breathing air. This is why their burrows have both front and back entrances, so they can easily access both the ocean and the air.

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24. What prevents organisms that need to attach from grabbing and getting a hold at the ocean beach subtidal and intertidal habitat?

Explanation

Shifting sands prevent organisms from grabbing and getting a hold at the ocean beach subtidal and intertidal habitat. This is because the constant movement of the sand makes it difficult for organisms to anchor themselves and maintain a stable position. As the sand shifts and moves with the tide and currents, it can dislodge and wash away any attachments that organisms may have made. This lack of stability makes it challenging for organisms that rely on attachment to survive in this habitat.

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Why do supra tidal organisms dig burrows in the sand?
Identify a key adaptation of the mole crab and coquina clam for living...
What does the word "phytoplankton" mean?
What is a pelecypod?
The kind of sediment deposited in shoreline habitats depends on:
What is a berm and where is it found?
What kind of sediments settle on the ocean beach?
Ocean beach habitats have three distinct zones:
Oxygen is plentiful in the ocean beach habitat because of which three...
What is the average salinity of the ocean?
Phytoplankton are_______________________
What kind of sediment settle in the sound?
Bottom dwellers like sand dollars, urchins and starfish are unable to...
Strong winds effect the ocean beach habitat. Strong winds (of at least...
Tides- the daily cycle of 2 high and 2 low tidal flow of water onto...
Most supratidal animals are ____________ that feed on debris and...
Coarse sand settles in the intertidal zone because:
Intertidal beach life is nourished largely by _______________ brought...
What is a gastropod?
Debris and detritus are deposited ___________________
The action of ____________________ sweeps larger shell particles and...
Which gastropod has a radula? What is a radula used for?
Ghost crabs are unique organisms that live in deep tunnels with front...
What prevents organisms that need to attach from grabbing and getting...
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