ocean ecosystem 1 ( lec 12 )

what is ecology

the science that examines the spectrum of interactions existing between organisms and their environments

define an individual

an organism that is physiologically independent from individuals

define population

a group of individuals of the same species that respond to the same environmental factors

define community

a group of populations each belonging to different species and all living in the same place

define ecosystem

an entire habitat including all abiotic and biotic features of the environment that interact

define biosphere

the entire set of living things on the planet and the environment that they interact with

what is the benthic province

a subdivision of the ocean that includes all of the sea bottom

what is the pelagic province

all of the water of the ocean

what is the neritic zone

the shallow water that overlies the continental shelves

what is the oceanic zone

the deep water in the open sea beyond the shelf break

define plankton

organisms floating free or drifting in the water column and having majority of their movements controlled by the ocean movement

how are plankton classified

photosynthetic capabilities

what is classifying about phytoplankton

they are photosynthetic

what is classifying about zooplankton

they are heterotrophic

what is classifying about bacterioplankton

they are phototrophic and heterotrophic

what is classifying about virioplankton

submicroscopic infective agents

what are nekton

animals that are powerful enough swimmers to move at will through water column

what are benthos

animals that live on or within the ocean bottom

what are epifauna

organisms that live on top of ocean sediment

what are epiflora

plants that live on top of the ocean ocean sediment

what are infauna

animals that live within the ocean sediment

what is holoplankton

plankton that is in water column for its entire life cycle

what is meroplankton

plankton that begin life on the eater column but eventually settle on the seabed

what are planktotrophic larvae

free swimming larva that consume other animals in water column

what are lecithotrophic larvae

a free swimming larva that feeds on yolk supplied by egg

what are some physical / chemical factors that affect ocean organisms

light, temperature, salinity

explain the effect of higher T waters on biological growth

for every 10 degree rise in water T, biological activity doubles and chemical reactions occur faster. organisms in polar seas grow slower but live longer lives than organisms in tropical seas

define diffusion

a physical process whereby molecules move from areas of high c to low c

define osmosis

the diffusion of water molecules through a semipermeable membrane

what is osmoregulation

an physiological adaptation where salinity of cellular fluids is lower or higher than surrounding fluid.

what is hydrostatic pressure

P created by height of stationary water column, varies w density of seawater

how have abyssal organisms adapted to high hydrostatic pressure

they have no internal cavity’s filled with air or gasses