Marine Science Topics Overview

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from marine science lecture notes.

Kinetic Particle Theory

Describes the behavior of particles in different states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Solubility

The ability of a solute to dissolve in a solvent.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons, resulting in oppositely charged ions that attract.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak attraction between a partially positive hydrogen atom of one molecule and a partially negative atom of another.

Salinity

The concentration of dissolved salts in seawater, measured in parts per thousand (ppt or ‰).

Density

The mass of a substance divided by its volume, measured in kg/m³.

Thermocline

A layer in a body of water where the temperature changes rapidly with depth.

Symbiosis

A close relationship between two different species.

Mutualism

A type of symbiosis where both species benefit from the relationship.

Trophic Levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers and consumers.

Upwelling

The movement of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface.

Binary Nomenclature

A system of naming species using two names, the genus and species.

Echinoderms

Marine organisms characterized by spiny skin and pentaradial symmetry, such as starfish.

Zonation

The distribution of organisms in distinct bands due to abiotic factors.

Mangrove Forest

Coastal ecosystems found in tropical and subtropical regions that are characterized by salt-tolerant trees.

Biodiversity

The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, encompassing species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecological diversity.