Interactions in Marine Organisms and Nutrients

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to marine interactions and nutrient cycles.

Mutualism

Both organisms benefit from the relationship.

Coral and zooxanthellae

Coral offers protection; zooxanthellae provide energy.

Commensalism

One organism benefits, the other is unaffected.

Manta ray and remora fish

Remora fish get a free ride from manta rays.

Parasitism

One organism benefits at the other's expense.

Copepods and marine fish

Copepods harm fish by feeding on them.

Photosynthesis

How plants make food using sunlight.

Respiration

How living things turn food into energy.

Chemosynthesis

How some organisms make food from chemicals instead of sunlight.

Productivity

The creation of new biomass from photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Pyramid of Numbers

Shows how many organisms are in each level of a food chain.

Pyramid of Biomass

Shows the total weight of organisms at each level of a food chain.

Pyramid of Energy

Shows energy at each level of a food chain; never goes backwards.

Nutrient Cycles

How nutrients move through ecosystems.

Magnesium

Needed to make chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

Phosphorus

Helps make DNA and bones.

Nitrogen

Essential for making proteins and DNA.

Carbon

The building block of all living things.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins.