Interactions in Marine Ecosystems Exam Review

A collection of flashcards summarizing key concepts from the marine ecosystems lecture notes for exam review.

What is the original energy source for photosynthesis?

Sunlight

What is the original energy source for chemosynthesis?

H₂S (hydrogen sulfide)

What are the products of photosynthesis?

C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose) and O₂ (oxygen)

What are the reactants of photosynthesis?

CO₂ (carbon dioxide) and H₂O (water)

What pigment is primarily involved in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll

List two elements found in all carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

Carbon and Hydrogen, or Hydrogen and Oxygen

What monomer makes up cellulose?

Glucose

What monomer is found in lipids?

Fatty acids and glycerol

What monomer is found in proteins?

Amino acids

List two nutrients present in agricultural fertilizers.

PO₄ and NO₃ or Mg and K

What are limiting factors of photosynthesis?

Light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide, other nutrients

What is runoff?

Water flowing from land to a river/ocean carrying dissolved minerals.

How can runoff be beneficial to marine organisms?

Provides essential nutrients for biological functions and increases productivity.

How can runoff be harmful to marine organisms?

Can cause harmful algae blooms, release toxins, limit oxygen, and create dead zones.

What is the role of bacteria in a food web?

Decomposers that help in nutrient recycling and release nutrients for primary producers.

Describe predator-prey relationships.

They follow a cyclical pattern with lag time.

How do you calculate the percentage of energy transferred?

(Energy received by primary consumer / Energy available from producer) x 100

Why is only 1-3% of sunlight assimilated into primary producers?

Some sunlight is reflected, not all is absorbed by chlorophyll, and not all wavelengths are absorbed.

What are the reasons consumers only receive a small amount of energy from the previous trophic level?

Heat loss, not all eaten, losses due to excretion, and undigested materials.

State one biological use of nitrogen.

Amino acids, proteins, DNA, RNA.

State one biological use of carbon.

Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids.

State one biological use of phosphorus.

DNA, RNA, bone, ATP, cell membranes.

State one biological use of magnesium.

Chlorophyll, enzymes.

List one example of a symbiotic relationship.

Riftia and chemosynthetic bacteria; Coral polyps and zooxanthellae; Sea lice and salmon; Manta rays and remora fish.

What is a major similarity between coral polyps/zooxanthellae and hydrothermal vent bacteria/tubeworms?

Both involve producers/endosymbionts that provide nutrients/energy to their host.

Compare photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.

Both convert inorganic into organic matter, use carbon dioxide and water as reactants, and produce glucose.

Contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.

Photosynthesis produces oxygen and uses sunlight; chemosynthesis requires hydrogen sulfide and does not use pigments.

How does calcium in rocks enter the ocean?

Weathering and erosion allow it to dissolve into water during runoff.

How does calcium reach the sea bed from the surface of the ocean?

It is uptaken in the food chain and sinks after organisms die.

How does overharvesting affect the calcium cycle?

It permanently removes calcium, reducing its availability in the cycle.

What is a mechanism through which calcium from the sea bed reaches the surface layer of the ocean?

Upwelling occurring due to wind-driven forces or underwater features.

What is the relationship between CO₂ in the atmosphere and CO₂ in water?

As CO₂ in the atmosphere increases, CO₂ in water increases due to gas exchange equilibrium.

Discuss the chemistry of ocean acidification.

Increased CO₂ leads to lower pH due to carbonic acid production, which decreases calcium carbonate synthesis.