Marine Science

Who uses Bioluminescence?

Jellyfish, Anglerfish, Squid, Some Plankton, and other deep-sea animals

Where does bioluminescence happen?

Mostly in the deep ocean, but also near the ocean’s surface

Why do animals use bioluminescence?

• To attract prey (food)

• To confuse or escape predators

• To communicate with other organisms

• To camouflage themselves

What causes the light for bioluminescence

A chemical reaction involving a molecule called luciferin and usually and enzyme called luciferase

Bioluminescence

A living thing producing light

Luciferin

A chemical that helps produce light

Luciferase

An enzyme that helps the light-producing reaction

Adaption

A feature that helps an organism survive

Camouflage

Blending in with the environment

How do hydrothermal vents form four steps?

1.) Seawater seeps into cracks in the ocean floor

2.) The water is heated by rocks or magma underground

3.) The hot, mineral-rich water rises and flows back out through openings in the seafloor

Where are hydrothermal vents found?

Along mid ocean ridges and tectonic plate boundaries where the earths crust is spreading apart.

How hot is the water in hydrothermal vents?

It can reach roughly 752F at some vents. although the surrounding deep ocean is very cold.

Is there sunlight near hydrothermal vents

No sunlight reaches these deep-sea environments

How do organisms survive in the hydrothermal vents

They rely on chemosynthesis rather than photosynthesis

What are black smokers

Vents that release dark, mineral-rich particles, making the water look like black smoke.

What are examples of beings that live near hydrothermal vents

Giant tube worms, cams, mussels, crabs, shrimp, and microorganisms

What is Photosynthesis

• = sunlight

• uses sunlight for energy

• Used by plants, algae, and some bacteria

• Produces sugars from carbon dioxide and water

• Common in sunlight environments

What is chemosynthesis

• = chemicals

• Uses energy from chemical reactions instead of sunlight

• Used by certain bacteria and archaea

• Can produce organic food from carbon dioxide

• Supports ecosystems around hydrothermal vents

What is the hydrothermal vent food chain?

Chemicals from the vent (like hydrogen sulfide) →

Chemosynthetic bacteria (use chemical energy to make food) →

Tube worms, clams, and mussels (obtain food from or rely on the microbes) →

Predators (such as crabs or fish, depending on the food web)

How can an ecosystem exist without sunlight?

Chemosynthetic microorganisms use energy from chemicals to produce food, supporting the rest of the food web