Introduction to Marine Biology

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms and concepts from marine biology, specifically focused on seaweeds, their environments, and related ecological principles.

Macroalgae

Large seaweeds commonly found in ocean habitats.

Microalgae

Microscopic algae that require a microscope to be seen, often single-celled.

Abiotic factors

Non-biological factors that influence the distribution of organisms, such as temperature, light, and salinity.

Primary productivity

The rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs to organic substances.

Salinity

The concentration of salts in water, commonly measured in parts per thousand (ppt).

Deforestation of seaweeds

The reduction in seaweed populations due to adverse environmental conditions or human activity.

Diatoms

A group of microalgae characterized by a unique silica cell wall, important for oxygen production.

Nutrient cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants and some organisms use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Hydrothermal vents

Deep-sea hot springs that support unique ecosystems through chemosynthesis, relying on sulfur instead of sunlight.

Coriolis effect

The deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth, affecting ocean currents.

Upwelling

The process where deep, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, supporting marine life.

Intertidal zone

The area of the shoreline that is exposed to the air at low tide and submerged at high tide.

Ecosystem productivity

The rate at which an ecosystem produces biomass, often highest in nutrient-rich waters.

Epiphytes

Plants that grow on other plants, utilizing them for support but not deriving nutrients from them.

Buoyancy

The ability of an object to float in water or other fluids due to density differences.

Hydrogen bonding

A type of weak chemical bond that occurs when hydrogen is bound to a highly electronegative atom, affecting water's physical properties.

Photosynthetic active radiation (PAR)

The portion of sunlight (400-700 nm) that photosynthetic organisms use for photosynthesis.

Chlorophyll

The green pigment found in plants and algae that is crucial for photosynthesis.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic plants that live in aquatic environments, major contributors to marine productivity and oxygen production.

Compensation depth

The depth in the ocean at which photosynthesis equals respiration, meaning no net energy gain.