Explore the Depths

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following statements about marine species is true?

There are 8 million marine species.

The currently documented number of marine species is 500,000. (correct)

Marine species are more diverse than land species.

The Census of Marine Life project discovered 2,000 new marine species.

What is the main reason for the limited diversity of marine species compared to land species?

There are fewer marine species compared to land species.

The oceans have a limited variety of environments. (correct)

Marine species have less adaptations than land species.

Marine environments are more stable than land environments.

How many new marine species were discovered by the Census of Marine Life project?

1,200 (correct)

500

2,000

5,000

What percentage of the total species on Earth do the currently documented marine species make up?

13% Signup and view all the answers

Which substance is mostly composed of water in marine animals?

Protoplasm Signup and view all the answers

What adaptations do marine organisms have to resist sinking and conserve energy?

Buoyancy and support structures Signup and view all the answers

How does the buoyancy of organisms in warm water differ from those in cold water?

Organisms in cold water are more buoyant. Signup and view all the answers

Why do smaller marine organisms have a higher surface to volume ratio?

To allow for easier nutrient absorption and waste removal Signup and view all the answers

What advantage do smaller organisms have in the sunlit layers of the ocean?

They require less energy to stay afloat. Signup and view all the answers

Where do benthic organisms like the box crab live?

At the bottom of the sea floor Signup and view all the answers

Which domains of life are included in the classification system?

Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Eukarya from Archaea and Bacteria?

DNA housed in a nucleus Signup and view all the answers

What are the six kingdoms in the classification system?

Bacteria, Archaea, Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, and Protista Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main types of plankton?

Phytoplankton and zooplankton Signup and view all the answers

Which organisms make up the majority of marine biomass?

Phytoplankton Signup and view all the answers

What are nektonic organisms?

Independent swimmers Signup and view all the answers

Where are benthic organisms most abundant?

Shallow water where sunlight is available for photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What are hydrothermal vents?

Openings in the ocean floor that spew out hot water Signup and view all the answers

What type of organisms are hydrothermal vent communities based on?

Autotrophic bacteria-like organisms Signup and view all the answers

What organisms have been found in hydrothermal vent communities, challenging previous assumptions?

Crabs and clams Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Classification of Marine Organisms and Plankton

The classification of living organisms is initially based on physical characteristics, but DNA analysis has allowed for grouping based on genetic sequences.
Defining life is challenging, as there are similarities between living and nonliving things. NASA defines life as a self-sustained chemical system capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution.
There are three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya. Eukarya includes complex organisms like plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
Eukaryotes have DNA housed in a nucleus, distinguishing them from Archaea and Bacteria.
Organisms are classified into six kingdoms: Bacteria, Archaea, Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, and Protista.
Phytoplankton are autotrophic and photosynthesize, while zooplankton rely on eating other organisms.
Phytoplankton, such as diatoms and dinoflagellates, make up the majority of marine biomass.
Zooplankton include squid larvae, fish larvae, arrow worms, and krill.
There are other types of plankton, such as holoplankton, which remain plankton their whole lives, and meroplankton, which transition to nekton as they grow.
An example of an organism that goes through all three phases is a squid, starting as benthic eggs, becoming planktonic larvae, and eventually becoming nektonic adults.
The classification system was developed by Swedish scientist Carl Linnaeus in 1758, based on physical characteristics. It has been adjusted with genetic information.
Taxonomy determines the relationships among organisms and categorizes them into kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.Marine Organisms and Hydrothermal Vent Communities
Nekton are independent swimmers and include adult fish, squid, marine mammals, and marine reptiles.
Examples of nektonic organisms include blue sharks, glass dolphins, and bluefin tuna.
Benthic organisms live on the surface of the sea floor (epifauna) or are buried in sediment (infauna).
Examples of benthic organisms include sponges, corals, sea slugs, mussels, sea stars, and crabs.
Benthic organisms are most abundant in shallow water where sunlight is available for photosynthesis.
Some benthic organisms live in perpetual darkness beyond continental margins, where sunlight does not reach.
Hydrothermal vent communities were discovered in 1977 near mid-ocean ridges.
Hydrothermal vents spew out hot water and host unique ecosystems.
Oceanographers previously believed that no life could exist in perpetual darkness, but hydrothermal vents proved them wrong.
Hydrothermal vent communities are based on autotrophic bacteria-like organisms that produce food using heat and chemicals from the vents.
These bacteria-like organisms live within the tissues of surrounding sponges and provide sugar for other organisms.
Crabs and clams have been found in hydrothermal vent communities, challenging previous assumptions about the limits of life.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the classification of marine organisms and the fascinating world of plankton and hydrothermal vent communities. Learn about the different domains and kingdoms of life, the characteristics of phytoplankton and zooplankton, and the unique ecosystems found around hydrothermal vents. Challenge your understanding of marine biology with this quiz!