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Questions and Answers
Marine microbes only include bacteria and viruses.
False
Archaea can live in extreme environments.
True
Fungi are commonly found associated with corals and sponges.
True
What is the defining characteristic of bacteria?
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What is the primary function of marine microbes in the ocean ecosystem?
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What is the difference between plant-like and animal-like protists?
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- Microbes gain energy through autotrophs, which produce their own food through ______, and heterotrophs, which gain energy from consuming something else.
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- Marine microbes provide major energy sources in ecosystems, including carbon and ______, and are responsible for about 50% of the photosynthesis on Earth.
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- Microbes engage in chemical signaling, producing chemicals that help other organisms find a good space to settle on the seafloor and influence ______ formation and climate.
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Study Notes
Marine Microbes: The Power Engines of the Ocean
- Marine microbes are tiny, single-celled organisms that include bacteria, protists, fungi, archaea, or viruses.
- They are the first organisms on Earth and can be found everywhere in the ocean.
- Bacteria can live on or in organisms as well as in seawater, and they can photosynthesize, utilize chemicals, or eat other bacteria.
- Archaea can live in extreme environments and have genes that are similar to complex animals.
- Viruses are infectious agents that must occupy a host cell to replicate and can cause zombie-like behaviors.
- Protists are a catch-all category of eukaryotes that can be plant-like, animal-like, or fungal-like.
- Fungi are usually associated with the decomposition of plant matter but can also be found with corals and sponges and can be pathogens.
- Microbes gain energy through autotrophs, which produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, and heterotrophs, which gain energy from consuming something else.
- Microbes provide major energy sources in ecosystems, including carbon and methane, and are responsible for about 50% of the photosynthesis on Earth.
- They also play a crucial role in chemical and nutrient cycling, such as using sulfur instead of oxygen for life and transforming unavailable nitrogen into usable forms.
- Microbes engage in chemical signaling, producing chemicals that help other organisms find a good space to settle on the seafloor and influence cloud formation and climate.
- Marine microbes can cause diseases, such as seagrass wasting disease, coral diseases, and seastar wasting disease, and can have connections to humans, such as pharmaceuticals, oil spills, and harmful algal blooms that can lead to dead zones and fish kills.
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Description
Discover the fascinating world of marine microbes and their crucial role in the ocean ecosystem! From bacteria to viruses, these tiny single-celled organisms are the power engines of the ocean, recycling nutrients and protecting against disease. Test your knowledge on their unique characteristics and importance in this quiz. Learn about the first organisms on earth and where they can be found. Dive deep into the world of marine microbes and come out with a greater appreciation for these microscopic wonders!
