Marine Biology Module 3

bacteria

prokaryotic, single celled, microscopic organisms

decomposers

organisms that break down dead organic matter into smaller organisms

chemosynthesis

the making of organic material from inorganic substances using chemical energy

phytoplankton

microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that drift in the water

zooplankton

tiny floating organisms that are either small animals or protozoa

thallus

the complete body of a multi-cellular alga, without true leaves, stems, or roots

diploid cell (2n)

a cell with chromosomes that come in pairs

haploid cell (1n)

a cell with half the normal number of chromosomes (one from each pair)

alternation of generations

life cycle that alternates between a sexual stage (gametophyte) and an asexual stage (sporophyte)

symbiosis

a close relationship between two species where at least one benefits

lichen

organism resulting from the symbiosis between a fungus and an alga