Physiological Adaptations in Marine Biology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from marine biology and physiological adaptations discussed in the lecture.

Acclimation

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

Poikilotherms

Organisms that have variable body temperature, usually correlating with the ambient temperature.

Eurythermal

Organisms that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures.

Stenothermal

Organisms that can only tolerate a narrow temperature range.

Euryhaline

Organisms that can tolerate a wide range of salinities.

Stenohaline

Organisms that can only tolerate a narrow salinity range.

Q10

A factor by which metabolic rate changes per 10 °C.

Homeotherms

Organisms that maintain a constant body temperature regardless of the environment.

Thermal tolerance

The capacity of an organism to withstand changes in temperature.

Bohr Effect

The physiological phenomenon where increased CO2 leads to lowered blood pH, causing hemoglobin to release oxygen more readily.

Microbial activity

Primary production in the sea predominantly contributed by microorganisms, crucial for oceanic ecosystems.

Synechococcus sp.

A genus of marine cyanobacteria that performs significant carbon fixation in the oceans.

Chemically and physically adapted organisms

Organisms that adjust their bodily functions and compositions to match environmental conditions.

Oligotrophy

A condition of low nutrient availability in oceanic regions, significant for certain cyanobacterial populations.

Metabolic rate

The rate at which an organism converts food into energy; influenced by environmental temperatures.