Marine Biology Study Guide - Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on marine biology lecture notes.

Marine Biology

The study of organisms that live in the sea, including all water with salinity.

Oceanography vs Marine Biology

Oceanography studies non-living aspects of the ocean; marine biology studies living organisms.

Remote Sensing

Using satellites to study large expanses of ocean surface.

Sonar

Used to map seafloor depths and formations.

Scuba

Allows study of the marine environment at depths otherwise unavailable.

ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles)

Enable direct exploration of the marine environment.

Research Vessels

Floating laboratories for prolonged marine environment exploration.

Scientific Method

A systematic way of testing ideas through observation.

Hypothesis

A testable statement formed from observations.

Independent Variable

What we expect will influence the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable

What happens as a result of the independent variable.

World Ocean Coverage

Covers 71% of Earth’s surface.

Major Ocean Basins

Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic.

Continental Crust

Made of light-colored granite, less dense, older than oceanic crust.

Oceanic Crust

Made of dark-colored basalt, denser, and younger than continental crust.

Continental Drift

Theory that continents were once joined in a supercontinent called Pangaea.

Plate Tectonics

Describes the movements of Earth's lithospheric plates.

Mid-Ocean Ridges

Chains of submarine volcanic mountains from ocean floor spreading.

Transform Faults

Fault displacements in mid-ocean ridges.

Sediment Accumulation

Thicker sediment accumulates farther from mid-ocean ridges.

Magnetic Anomalies

Patterns of alternating magnetic polarity in sea floor rocks.

Lithogenous Sediments

Sediments derived from the breakdown of rocks.

Biogenous Sediments

Sediments derived from the remains of marine organisms.

Marine Sediment Dating

Carbon dating is used to determine the age of biogenous sediments.

Continental Shelf

The submerged extension of landmasses rich in biodiversity.

Continental Slope

The steep slope between the continental shelf and ocean floor.

Continental Rise

The area formed by sediments pushed down from the continental shelf.

Active Margins

Sites of intense geological activity with steep slopes.

Passive Margins

Geologically inactive areas with gradual slopes.

High Tide

Caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on ocean waters.

Low Tide

Occurs on the far side of Earth from the moon.

Spring Tides

Higher-than-normal tides that occur during full and new moons.

Neap Tides

Lower-than-normal tides occurring between spring tides.

Zooxanthellae

Symbiotic algae that live within coral tissues.

Photosynthesis

The process by which organisms convert light into energy.

Primary Production

The synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Chemosynthesis

The conversion of carbon compounds into organic matter using energy from chemical reactions.

Marine Ecosystems

The interactions of marine organisms with their environment.

Symbiosis

Interaction between two different species living in close physical proximity.

Mutualism

Both species benefit from the relationship.

Commensalism

One species benefits, the other is not significantly affected.

Parasitism

One species benefits at the expense of the other.

Predator-Prey Interaction

One species (predator) kills another (prey) for food.

Herbivory

An organism that eats plants or seaweeds.

Plankton

Drifting organisms that cannot swim against currents.

Meroplankton

Plankton that only drift for part of their life cycle.

Nekton

Swimming organisms that can move independently of water currents.

Benthos

Organisms that live on or in the ocean floor.

Epipelagic Zone

Surface ocean layer with enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Mesopelagic Zone

Layer of ocean with reduced light below the epipelagic zone.

Bathypelagic Zone

Deep ocean zone with no light and cold temperatures.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in different habitats.

Carrying Capacity

Maximum number of individuals an environment can sustain.

Keystone Species

A species that plays a crucial role in the ecosystem.

Niche

The role and position a species has in its environment.

Trophic Levels

Feeding levels in a food chain or web.

Energy Pyramid

Shows energy flow and loss through different trophic levels.

Trophic Structure

The feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.

Ecology

Study of interactions between organisms and their environment.

Marine Food Web

Complex feeding relationships in marine ecosystems.

Nitrogen Cycle

Biogeochemical cycle that describes the conversion of nitrogen into various chemical forms.

Carbon Cycle

Process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

Chemosynthetic Organisms

Organisms that derive energy from inorganic compounds.

Planktonic Algae

Photosynthetic microorganisms that drift in the ocean.

Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria significant in marine environments.

Diatoms

Microscopic algae with silica cell walls important for primary production.

Nutrient Limitation

Limiting factors such as nitrogen and phosphorus affecting primary production.

Osmoregulation

Control of water and salt balance in organisms.

Ectotherms

Animals that rely on external sources for temperature regulation.

Endotherms

Animals that can internally regulate their body temperature.

Marine Mammals

Warm-blooded vertebrates that spend a significant portion of their lives in water.

Cetaceans

Marine mammals including whales and dolphins.

Pinnipeds

Seals and sea lions characterized by their flippered limbs.

Sirenians

Slow-moving herbivorous marine mammals including manatees and dugongs.

Marine Birds

Birds that feed on marine organisms and nest on land.

Coral Reefs

Biodiverse underwater ecosystems formed by corals.

Algal Blooms

Rapid increase in algae due to nutrient influx.

Coral Bleaching

Loss of color in corals due to stress, often from high temperatures.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Regions with high levels of endemic species and high levels of habitat loss.

Habitat Destruction

Process that results in the loss of natural habitats, affecting biodiversity.

Conservation Biology

Field focused on protecting biodiversity.

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Sections of marine environments designated for protection and conservation.

Sustainable Fishing

Fishing practices that maintain fish populations and habitat.

Carbon Sequestration

Long-term storage of carbon dioxide, typically in oceans or soil.

Ecosystem Services

Benefits humans gain from ecosystems, such as clean water.

Pollution,

Introduction of contaminants into the natural environment causing adverse change.

Ocean Acidification

Decrease in pH of the ocean due to absorption of carbon dioxide.

Climate Change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Habitat Fragmentation

Breakup of habitat into smaller pieces, affecting wildlife.

Restoration Ecology

Scientific study of restoring damaged ecosystems.