CH 2- MB - Physiological Adaptations

A set of flashcards reviewing major concepts and key terms related to physiological adaptations and adaptations in marine biology.

What is the primary physiological adaptation seen in dolphins?

The pattern of veins wrapped around arteries in the flipper.

What is the relationship between surface temperature and depth in ocean waters over decades?

Surface temperatures can fluctuate yearly, impacting bottom temperatures too.

What is the main contributor to primary production in marine environments?

Microbial activity.

Who discovered the marine cyanobacteria Synechococcus and what is its ecological significance?

Synechococcus is known for carrying out a significant portion of carbon fixation in oceans.

How can marine organisms respond to environmental changes?

By dying, evolving, changing behavior, acclimating physiologically, or any/all of the above.

What does acclimation mean in the context of marine biology?

A change of function and tolerance that results in equilibration with new physiochemical conditions.

What is the impact of temperature on metabolic rates in marine organisms?

Metabolic rate changes with temperature, often quantified by the Q10 temperature coefficient.

How do conformers and regulators differ in their response to environmental changes?

Conformers vary their body temperature and chemistry with the environment, while regulators maintain constant body temperature and chemistry.

What is the Scope for Growth (SfG) formula in marine biology?

SfG = Energy assimilated – energy used for function, reflecting the balance between energy intake and metabolic needs.

What is the expected response curve of metabolic rate vs. temperature for acclimated animals?

Organisms can metabolically acclimate to seasonal temperature changes.

What is the difference between stenothermal and eurythermal organisms?

Stenothermal organisms tolerate a narrow temperature range; eurythermal organisms can tolerate a wide range.

What physiological adaptations may occur due to temperature fluctuations?

Variation in gene expression, membrane lipids, and enzyme activity can be physiological responses to temperature changes.

What is the role of heat-shock proteins in temperature tolerance?

Heat-shock proteins help prevent denaturing of enzymes under heat stress.

What are stenohaline and euryhaline organisms in terms of salinity tolerance?

Stenohaline organisms tolerate a narrow salinity range; euryhaline organisms can tolerate a wide range of salinities.

How do marine organisms respond to reduced oxygen levels?

They may exhibit the Bohr Effect, leading to oxygen release by blood pigments under acidosis.

How can organism’s respond to reduced oxygen levels?

Via their enlarged hearts and arteries, which allows for more blood pigment (higher respiration)? In addition the variation of blood pigments