Lecture Notes Review on Marine Ecosystems and Water Chemistry

Flashcards based on key concepts from lecture notes on marine ecosystems, water chemistry, and interactions within ecosystems.

What is the result of atoms wanting stability by filling valence orbitals?

Bonding, which can be ionic or covalent.

What type of bond involves electrons being transferred?

Ionic Bond.

What type of bond involves electrons being shared between atoms?

Covalent Bond.

What property of water allows it to form hydrogen bonds?

Polarity.

Why is water considered a universal solvent?

It can dissolve many salts and substances due to its polarity.

What happens to the freezing point and boiling point when salinity increases?

Freezing point decreases and boiling point increases.

What are hydrothermal vents primarily formed from?

Cold water seeping through cracks that is then superheated and mineral-rich.

What is a significant characteristic of ice compared to liquid water?

Ice is less dense and floats.

Define Commensalism in symbiotic relationships.

An interaction where one species benefits and the other is unaffected.

What is the relationship between producers and consumers in a marine ecosystem?

Energy flows from producers to consumers as organisms are eaten.

How much energy is typically passed on from one trophic level to the next?

Approximately 10%.

What are the conditions necessary for coral reef growth?

Suitable substrate, proper temperature, salinity, and light intensity.

What process leads to the formation of atolls from volcanic islands?

Subsidence and coral growth followed by complete sinking of the volcano.

What adaptations do mangroves have for survival in their environment?

Prop roots for stability and O₂ absorption, and salt exclusion cells in roots.

What are the major threats to mangrove ecosystems?

Temperature changes, over-harvesting, storm damage, and changes in land use.

What is an essential nutrient for building proteins and DNA in marine ecosystems?

Nitrogen.

What is the significance of phytoplankton in the marine food web?

They are primary producers, performing photosynthesis.

What is the role of zooxanthellae in coral reefs?

They provide food through photosynthesis and receive shelter from coral polyps.

Define the term 'nutrient cycling' in ecosystems.

The process of nutrients being replenished, assimilated, and then returned to the environment.

What is the primary strategy of the Mark-Release-Recapture sampling technique?

To estimate population sizes for mobile species.

What classification levels are used to categorize all organisms?

Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.

What causes tides in the oceans?

The gravitational pull of the Earth, Moon, and Sun.