AICE Marine Science Flash Cards

What is salinity? Unit 1

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

Name two factors that affect the salinity of seawater. Unit 1

Evaporation and precipitation.

How do temperature and salinity affect the density of seawater? Unit 1

As temperature decreases and salinity increases, the density of seawater increases.

Why are oxygen levels higher at the surface of the ocean than at greater depths? Unit 1

Oxygen is higher at the surface due to photosynthesis by phytoplankton and diffusion from the atmosphere.

Calculate the salinity of a water sample with 35 grams of salt in 1000 grams of seawater. Unit 1

35 ppt.

How do thermoclines form in tropical oceans? Unit 1

Thermoclines form due to strong surface heating creating a warm upper layer, with a rapid temperature decrease below.

How does salinity vary between estuaries and open ocean water? Unit 1

Estuaries have lower salinity due to freshwater input, while open oceans have more stable and higher salinity levels.

Compare the oxygen concentration at the surface with that at the oxygen minimum layer. Unit 1

Surface oxygen is high due to photosynthesis and diffusion, while the oxygen minimum layer has lower levels due to respiration and lack of light.

How does temperature affect the solubility of gases in seawater? Unit 1

As temperature increases, the solubility of gases like oxygen decreases.

What is the impact of high rainfall on coastal salinity? Unit 1

High rainfall dilutes seawater, decreasing salinity near coastlines.

What is a tectonic plate? Unit 2

A rigid segment of the Earth’s lithosphere that moves over the asthenosphere.

Name two types of plate boundaries. Unit 2

Convergent and divergent boundaries.

What occurs at a divergent plate boundary under the ocean? Unit 2

Plates move apart, magma rises to form new oceanic crust and mid-ocean ridges.

How do earthquakes occur at transform boundaries? Unit 2

Plates slide past each other, pressure builds and is released as seismic energy.

Identify a geological feature found at a subduction zone. Unit 2

Deep ocean trench.

Compare oceanic crust with continental crust in density and composition. Unit 2

Oceanic crust is denser and composed mainly of basalt; continental crust is less dense and composed mainly of granite.

What role does tectonic activity play in hydrothermal vent formation? Unit 2

Tectonic movement allows seawater to enter cracks, get heated by magma, and emerge as mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids.

Outline the process of tsunami formation following an undersea earthquake. Unit 2

An earthquake displaces large volumes of water, generating waves that increase in height near shorelines.

Why do mid-ocean ridges have high biodiversity near hydrothermal vents? Unit 2

Chemosynthetic bacteria support unique ecosystems by converting vent chemicals into energy.

How do volcanic island chains form at hotspots? Unit 2

A tectonic plate moves over a stationary hotspot, creating a series of volcanoes, oldest being furthest from the hotspot.

What is a producer in a marine ecosystem? Unit 3

An organism, such as phytoplankton, that produces organic substances through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

Name two examples of abiotic factors in a coral reef ecosystem. Unit 3

Temperature and salinity.

Describe the predator-prey relationship in a marine food web. Unit 3

Predators hunt and consume prey to obtain energy, helping to regulate population sizes.

How is energy transferred through trophic levels in a food chain? Unit 3

Energy is passed from one level to the next through feeding, but most is lost as heat or waste at each stage.

What is the role of decomposers in marine ecosystems? Unit 3

They break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients into the ecosystem.

Compare mutualism and parasitism in the ocean with examples. Unit 3

Mutualism benefits both species, like cleaner fish and host fish; parasitism benefits one while harming the other, like fish lice on a host fish.

What is the impact of overfishing on trophic structure? Unit 3

Overfishing removes top predators, causing imbalances and population surges in lower trophic levels.

Outline the process of photosynthesis in marine phytoplankton. Unit 3

They use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen.

How might seasonal changes affect primary productivity in polar oceans? Unit 3

Productivity increases in summer due to longer daylight and ice melt, then decreases in winter with limited light.

How do predator-prey relationships contribute to ecosystem stability? Unit 3

They regulate populations, prevent overgrazing, and maintain biodiversity through natural selection.

What is biodiversity? Unit 4

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

Name two reasons why marine biodiversity is important. Unit 4

Maintains ecosystem stability and provides resources like food and medicine.

Describe the binomial naming system. Unit 4

A universal system that gives each species a two-part Latin name: genus and species.

Why are scientific names used instead of common names? Unit 4

To avoid confusion caused by different common names and ensure consistent global communication.

Identify an example of a keystone species in a marine environment. Unit 4

Sea otter.

Compare characteristics of fish and mammals in the ocean. Unit 4

Fish have gills, scales, and lay eggs; marine mammals have lungs, hair, and give live birth.

How can biodiversity be measured in a coral reef ecosystem? Unit 4

Using species richness (number of species) and species evenness (relative abundance).

What are the threats to biodiversity in mangrove forests? Unit 4

Deforestation, pollution, climate change, and development.

Why is it important to conserve marine biodiversity? Unit 4

To preserve ecosystem services, maintain food webs, and ensure long-term sustainability.

How do human activities affect the classification and discovery of new marine species? Unit 4

Pollution and habitat destruction reduce populations, while technology helps identify and classify new species.

What is an estuary? Unit 5

A coastal area where freshwater from rivers mixes with saltwater from the sea, creating a brackish environment.

Name two characteristics of sandy shore ecosystems. Unit 5

Unstable substrate and low biodiversity.

Describe the environmental conditions of a hydrothermal vent ecosystem. Unit 5

High pressure, high temperature, low light, and rich in hydrogen sulfide.

How are organisms adapted to life on rocky shores? Unit 5

They have strong attachments, protective shells, and can tolerate desiccation and wave action.

Identify a producer found in a mangrove forest. Unit 5

Red mangrove tree.

Compare the biodiversity of coral reefs and hydrothermal vents. Unit 5

Coral reefs have high biodiversity with many species; hydrothermal vents have low species diversity but high specialization.

How does salinity change in an estuary throughout the day? Unit 5

Salinity fluctuates with tides, becoming higher during high tide and lower during low tide due to river flow.

How do coral reefs form? Unit 5

Reefs begin as coral larvae settle, grow calcium carbonate skeletons, and accumulate over time into reef structures.

Why do muddy shores support fewer visible organisms than rocky shores? Unit 5

Low oxygen, unstable substrate, and poor drainage limit organism diversity.

What is the importance of mangroves in coastal protection? Unit 5

Mangroves reduce erosion, absorb wave energy, and provide a barrier against storm surges and flooding.