Unit 3 Study Guide - Open Ocean

Vocabulary flashcards covering ocean zones, marine adaptations, shark anatomy and sensory systems, finning impacts, and dolphin behaviors from the Unit 3 Open Ocean study guide.

Pelagic

The sunlit section of the ocean.

Benthic

The very bottom section of the ocean.

Photic zone

The upper layer of the ocean where sunlight penetrates.

Twilight zone

The middle section of the ocean.

Aphotic zone

The section of the ocean with no light.

Countershading

An adaptation where an animal has darker coloration on its top and lighter coloring on its bottom to help it blend in with its environment.

Schooling

A group behavior that helps fish be seen as one and provides protection, and helps dolphins hunt prey together and socialize in a group.

Lateral line

A sensory system that detects water movement and pressure changes.

Ampullae of Lorenzini

A specialized sensory organ that allows a shark to detect weak electric and magnetic fields in the water.

Oily liver

An organ that helps the shark float, compensating for the lack of a swim bladder.

External anatomy of a shark

Key external structures: coddle fin, second dorsal fin, dorsal fin, lateral line, and eyes across the top; anal fin, pelvic fins, pectoral fins, gills, mouth, and nostrils across the bottom.

Annual human-caused shark mortality

Around 100 million sharks killed each year by humans.

Shark finning

A practice done primarily for money that is cruel because it kills sharks by leaving them unable to swim.

Dolphin intelligence

Demonstrated by dolphins placing sponges over their noses for protection from rocks and debris, as well as each dolphin having a unique individual whistle recognized by others.

Breaching

A whale or dolphin behavior consisting of jumping to the surface.

Spyhopping

A whale or dolphin behavior where the animal lifts its head out of the water before quickly going back under.

Bow-riding

A behavior where dolphins swim in a wave to allow them to glide in the water.