AICE Marine Biology Study Guide Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts related to water chemistry, marine biology, and ecosystems, as outlined in the AICE Marine Biology study guide.

Kinetic Particle Theory

Explains differences in states of matter: ice (low energy, fixed position), liquid water (moderate energy, able to move), steam (high energy, moves freely).

Atom Structure

An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons (positively charged) and neutrons (no charge), with electrons (negatively charged) arranged in shells around the nucleus.

Mixture vs Compound

Seawater is a mixture containing various elements (like Na, Cl) and compounds (like H₂O and NaCl).

Covalent Bonding in Water

Involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms; in water (H₂O), oxygen and hydrogen atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen Bonds

Formed by the attraction between the positive hydrogen of one water molecule and the negative oxygen of another, affecting water's properties.

Salinity

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

Density Formula

Density is calculated as mass divided by volume (ρ = m/V).

Thermocline

Layer in the ocean where there is a rapid change in temperature with depth.

Ionic Bonding

Involves the transfer of electrons; sodium (Na) loses an electron to chlorine (Cl), forming Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.

Photosynthesis Equation

Carbon dioxide + water + light → glucose + oxygen.

Ecosystem

A community of interacting organisms and their physical environment (e.g., a coral reef ecosystem).

Food Chain

A sequence of organisms transferring energy, showing who eats whom.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the interaction.

Biotic Factors

Living components of an ecosystem, such as competition, predation, and symbiosis.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living components of an ecosystem, like salinity, temperature, and light availability.

Diversity Index

A measure used to quantify the biodiversity of a habitat, considering the number of species and their relative abundance.

Lincoln Index

A method for estimating population sizes using mark-release-recapture techniques, calculated as N=(n1 x n2)/m2.

Photosynthetic Producers

Organisms that make their own food through photosynthesis, using sunlight to synthesize glucose.

Zooplankton

Microscopic organisms that drift in water currents and are primary consumers.

Marine Plants

Plants that grow in marine environments, including seagrass, which have structures like rhizomes and flowers.

Oxygen Solubility

Refers to the low solubility of oxygen in water, affecting marine life.

Coral Reefs Importance

Provide biodiversity, tourism opportunities, food resources, and coastal protection.