Marine Biology & Earth's Oceans: Formation, Characteristics, and Life

What is Marine Biology?

The study of life in the oceans.

What is Oceanography?

The study of the ocean.

What are the characteristics that define living things?

Living things are composed of cells, maintain homeostasis, respond to stimuli, acquire and use materials and energy, grow, reproduce using DNA, and have the capacity to evolve.

Is fire considered alive?

Fire responds to stimuli, uses material and energy, and grows, but it does not reproduce.

How much of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean?

The ocean covers 71% of our planet.

How many large ocean basins are there?

There are four large basins: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic.

Which ocean basin is the largest and deepest?

The Pacific Basin, covering 64 million square miles.

What is the depth of the Mariana Trench?

10,994 meters.

What is the size of the Atlantic Basin?

33.4 million square miles.

What is the depth of the Puerto Rico Trench?

8,605 meters.

What is the size of the Indian Basin?

28 million square miles.

What is the depth of the Java Trench?

7,725 meters.

What is the size of the Arctic Basin?

3.7 million square miles.

What is the depth of the Molloy Deep?

5,608 meters.

How old is the Earth?

4.6 billion years.

How old is the continental crust?

3.8 billion years.

How old is the oceanic crust?

200 million years.

What is the primary composition of the continental crust?

Mostly made of granite.

What is the primary composition of the oceanic crust?

Mostly made of basalt, which is denser than granite.

What quote reflects the significance of the ocean on Earth?

"How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean" - Arthur C. Clarke.

What optional video is suggested for learning about the origin of Earth's water?

A video about where Earth's water came from.

What is the significance of the life of sand?

It is suggested as an optional but interesting topic to explore.