Marine Science Quiz

Prokaryotic v. Eukaryotic

Pro: Bacteria and no nucleus

Euk: Has organelles, a nucleus, animal and plant cells

Plant cell has that animal doesn’t

Cellulose Cell Wall, Chloroplasts, Large Central Vacuole

Photosynthesis

Takes place in Chloroplasts

Reactant: Carbon Dioxide and Water

Product: Glucose and Oxygen

Domains

most broad groups/category

• Bacteria (pro)

• Archaea (pro)

• Eukaryota (Euk)

Archaea and Bacteria

all prokaryotes are single celled organisms but can live in colonies

All have a cell membrane, cytoplasm, DNA and ribosomes

Also specialized strucutres like cell wall, slime layers and flagella for movement

Prokaryotes Bacteria

Found in huge numbers in all parts of ocean

Functions of Bacteria

• Energy production

• Decomposition

• Nitrogen fixation

• Pathogens

• Digestion helpers

Plankton

marine drifters - a large variety of organisms carried along at the surface by waves and currents

classified in 3 groups

Plankton: drifters

Nekton: active swimmers

benthos: bottom dwellers

Phytoplankton: Algae

• Photosyntehtic Eukaryotic Organisms

• Contain Chlorophyll (need light, water and co2)

Zooplankton

Heterotrophic Animal- like organisms

some are single celled organisms, others multicellular and seen without a microscope

• Holoplankton: animals that spend their entire lives as plankton like copepods and rotifiers

• Meroplankton: only planktonic for a short time like larval fish and crustaceans

Diatoms

• silica

• geometric shpes with patterned cell walls (round circles, long ovals)

• Autotrophic Phytoplankton

Radiolarians

• Silicia

• delicate spiky basket like or spherical structures

• Heterotrophic Zooplankton

Coccolithophores

• calcium carbonate (chalky)

• tiny round cells covered in plate like scales

• Autotrophic Phytoplankton

Foraminiferans

• calicum carbonate (chalky)

• chambered snail like or spiral shells look like grains of sand

• Heterotrophic Zooplankton

Dinoflagellates

• Cellulose

• vary in shape usually round or with three spikes, look like two fused shells, flagella for movement

• Most Autotrophic Phytonplankton (some Heterotrophic Zooplankton

Ciliates

• oval or elongated with tiny hair like cilia for movement

• Heterotrophic Zooplankton

Zooxanthellae (type of dinoflagellate) unique

• because they live inside corals in a mutualistic relationship, providing them with energy through photosynthesis while receiving protection and nutrients in return. They are also responsible for the vibrant colors of coral reefs. 

Archaea

Archaea are a domain of single-celled microorganisms that are genetically distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, often thriving in extreme environments like hot springs, deep-sea vents, and salt lakes.