BR22610 Functional and Behavioural Adaptations to Living in Marine Environments

These flashcards cover key concepts, physiological adaptations, and responses of marine intertidal organisms to abiotic stresses such as temperature and desiccation.

What are the key abiotic stresses faced by marine intertidal organisms?

Aerial exposure, temperature variation, and desiccation.

What is the typical duration of tidal cycles in marine environments?

Approximately 12.4 hours.

How do intertidal species generally differ from subtidal species regarding thermal tolerance?

Intertidal species generally have higher thermal tolerance limits than subtidal species.

Which species show higher thermal tolerance limits: tropical or temperate species?

Tropical species have higher thermal tolerance limits than temperate species.

What are the consequences of high temperatures on marine organisms?

High temperatures can cause protein denaturation, disrupted membrane function, and ionic imbalance.

What physiological adaptations do ectotherms use to cope with temperature changes?

Ectotherms, like most invertebrates and plants, adjust their metabolic rate and behavior according to ambient temperature.

What morphological feature helps intertidal animals minimize heat gain?

Larger body size relative to those located lower on the shore results in a lower surface area to volume ratio.

How do lighter colored shells benefit tropical snails?

Lighter shells keep cooler for longer as they take more time to heat up compared to darker shells.

What is a behavioral response of intertidal organisms to avoid heating?

Hiding in crevices or grouping together to reduce exposure to heat.

What role do heat shock proteins (HSPs) play in marine organisms during heat stress?

HSPs act as molecular chaperones that prevent protein damage and maintain membrane function.

What is unique about the heat shock response of Trematomus bernacchii?

Trematomus bernacchii lacks a heat shock response because it lives in a temperature-stable environment.

Where is the Pompeii worm found and what is notable about its temperature tolerance?

Found in black smokers at depths over 2000m, it can tolerate extreme temperatures ranging from 22°C to 80°C.

What behavior do some intertidal organisms exhibit at different times of the day?

Phototaxis, showing different directional responses during dawn/dusk and solar daytime.

What issues arise from the evaporative heat loss for intertidal organisms?

Evaporative heat loss can lead to desiccation, which poses a significant problem in intertidal environments.

What is the significance of the Hsp70 gene expression in relation to shore position?

Hsp70 expression reflects an organism's position on the shore, indicating how well they survive elevated temperatures.