AICE Marine Science (Unit 3 Cram Sheet)

symbiosis

relationships between 2 different species who live close together

parasitism

a symbiont (parasite) benefits at the expense of a host

commensalism

one organism benefits, and the other is unaffected

mutualism

both organisms benefit

predation

predators eating prey

competition

two species fighting for the same resources

copepods

shrimp-like crustaceans (ex: sea lice)

ectoparasites

copepods that feed on mucus, tissues, blood of marine fish

phoresis

type of commensalism where benefited organism travels with host

boxer crabs

hold anemones for defense and in exchange anemones get access to food

primary producer

organisms that use light or chemicals to synthesize their own organic molecules as food

consumer

organisms that rely on others for food

carnivore

only feed on animals

herbivore

only feed on plants

omnivore

feeds on both plants and animals

decomposer

break down dead organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment

food chain

a diagram that shows feeding relationships between organisms

food web

a complex diagram of many interconnected food chains

trophic level

organism's position in food web/food chain

apex predator

has no known predator

photosynthesis

using light energy from the sun to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen

chemosynthesis

using the energy derived from reactions in organic chemicals to produce new organic material

primary productivity

rate of productivity of new biomass per unit mass by autotrophs

net primary productivity (NPP)

NPP = GPP - R

eutrophication

nutrient-rich water stimulates producer growth, depletes DO, leading to high algal density

pyramid of numbers

shows amount of organisms per trophic level

pyramid of biomass

shows amount of biomass present per trophic level

pyramid of energy

shows amount of energy/rate of biomass production

nutrients

chemicals needed by organisms for growth, repair, energy, metabolism

residence time

average time a particle spends in a system

carbon cycle

the cycle involving combustion, photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and formation of fossil fuels

combustion

the process of burning fossil fuels which releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere

glucose

a simple sugar that is an important energy source in living organisms

biomass

mass of living material

organic material

material that comes from living organisms

marine snow

organic material that falls from the surface into the deep ocean

hypoxic conditions

conditions where oxygen levels are low, often leading to fish mortality

toxic algal blooms

rapid growth of algae that can produce toxins harmful to marine life