Marine Science Review Flashcards

A collection of 50 flashcards covering key concepts from marine science, including aquatic ecosystems, oceanography, and biological processes.

Kinetic Particle Theory

A theory explaining state changes by energy gain or loss in particles.

Melting

The process of a solid turning into a liquid due to heating.

Evaporation

The process of a liquid turning into a gas.

Condensation

The process of gas returning to a liquid.

Freezing

The process of a liquid turning into a solid due to cooling.

Atom Structure

An atom consists of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, with electrons in shells.

Hydrogen Bonding

Attraction between water molecules causing high surface tension and density differences.

Temperature and Salinity Relationship

Higher salinity and lower temperature increase water density.

Plate Tectonics

Theory explaining Earth's crust is divided into tectonic plates that move over the mantle.

Divergent Boundaries

Tectonic plate boundaries where plates move apart, forming mid-ocean ridges.

Convergent Boundaries

Boundaries where tectonic plates collide, forming trenches and volcanoes.

Transform Boundaries

Boundaries where tectonic plates slide past each other, causing earthquakes.

Hydrothermal Vents

High-pressure, high-temperature openings in the ocean floor that release mineral-rich water.

Weathering

The process of breaking down rocks into smaller particles.

Erosion

The movement of particles from one place to another by wind or water.

Sedimentation

The deposition of particles in new locations after erosion.

Coastal Morphology

The shaping of shorelines through weathering, erosion, and sedimentation.

Tidal Range

The difference in water level between high and low tides, affected by gravitational forces.

Ocean Currents

Continuous, directed movement of seawater driven by factors like wind and temperature.

Upwellings

Where cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, displacing warm surface water.

El Niño

A climate pattern characterized by warmer ocean conditions affecting global weather.

La Niña

A climate pattern characterized by cooler ocean temperatures and enhanced storms.

Food Chain

A linear representation of feeding relationships in an ecosystem.

Food Web

A complex network of interconnected food chains in an ecosystem.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose).

Chemosynthesis

The process by which some organisms produce glucose using chemical energy, like hydrogen sulfide.

Productivity

The rate at which biomass is produced, affecting food chain length and complexity.

Energy Loss in Food Chains

About 90% of energy is lost at each trophic level as heat or waste.

Carbon Cycle

The movement of carbon through the atmosphere, ocean, and living organisms.

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Classification system for organisms including levels: Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Species.

Binomial Nomenclature

The two-part naming system for species, consisting of genus and species names.

Phytoplankton

Plant-like plankton that conduct photosynthesis in aquatic environments.

Zooplankton

Animal plankton that feed on phytoplankton and other zooplankton.

Coral Reefs

Marine ecosystems formed by coral polyps, crucial for biodiversity and coastal protection.

Coral Polyp Structure

A coral polyp consists of a mouth, tentacles, and stinging cells.

Hard Coral

Corals with calcium carbonate skeletons that provide structure to reefs.

Soft Coral

Flexible corals without a rigid skeleton, relying on other means for structure.

Coral Reef Erosion

The wearing away of coral reefs due to storms, acidification, and human impact.

Rocky Shores

Stable coastal environments with high biodiversity and zonation.

Sandy Shores

Coastal areas with shifting sand and typically low biodiversity.

Mangrove Forests

Coastal ecosystems that provide habitat, prevent erosion, and support fisheries.

Biotic Factors

Living influences on organisms, including competition and predation.

Abiotic Factors

Non-living influences on ecosystems, such as temperature and salinity.

Ecosystem Importance of Mangroves

They serve as nurseries for marine life and protect coastlines from storms.

Ocean Zones

Different layers of the ocean, including epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic.

What is evaporation?

Evaporation is the process by which liquid water is transformed into water vapor due to heat.

What is condensation?

Condensation is the process where water vapor cools and changes back into liquid water, forming clouds.

What is precipitation?

Precipitation is any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from clouds and reaches the ground.

What role do oceans play in the water cycle?

Oceans provide the majority of water vapor through evaporation, contributing significantly to atmospheric moisture.

What is infiltration?

Infiltration is the process by which water soaks into the soil from the surface.

What is transpiration?

Transpiration is the process where plants release water vapor into the air through their leaves.

What is collection in the water cycle?

Collection is the accumulation of water in various forms, such as rivers, lakes, and oceans after precipitation.

What is the significance of the water cycle?

The water cycle is vital for replenishing freshwater supplies and sustaining ecosystems.

How do human activities affect the water cycle?

Human activities such as deforestation and urbanization can disrupt the natural water cycle, affecting climate and water availability.

What is groundwater?

Groundwater is water that exists beneath the earth's surface in soil pore spaces and fractures of rock formations.