Marine Science Classification and Plankton

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Questions and Answers

What is the study of classification of organisms?

Taxidermy

Taxonomy (correct)

Zoology

Biology

What small organisms float or drift in the sea or freshwater?

Plankton

What organism is the base of the food chain?

Plankton

What is an organism that produces its own food or organic compounds from its surroundings?

Autotrophic Signup and view all the answers

What is marine snow?

Detritus Signup and view all the answers

What type of organism gets food by filtering small organisms from the current?

Filter feeders Signup and view all the answers

What term describes zooplankton that are temporarily plankton then become animals?

Meroplankton Signup and view all the answers

What are zooplankton that are only permanently plankton their whole life called?

Holoplankton Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct order of classification?

Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species Signup and view all the answers

How are organisms classified?

By their anatomical features Signup and view all the answers

What is the first photosynthetic organism to inhabit the Earth?

Cyanobacteria Signup and view all the answers

What are coccolithophores?

A single celled marine flagellate that secretes a calcareous shell Signup and view all the answers

What are the cell walls of coccolithophores made of?

Calcareous scales Signup and view all the answers

What phytoplankton group has cell walls made of silica?

Diatoms Signup and view all the answers

What is the most primitive group of phytoplankton?

Dinoflagellates Signup and view all the answers

What is the most abundant type of zooplankton?

Krill Signup and view all the answers

What does the term vertical migration refer to?

The daily up and down movement of animals in the ocean Signup and view all the answers

Eubacteria are considered true bacteria.

True Signup and view all the answers

What kingdom is composed of Eukaryotas that are not classified as plants, animals, or fungi?

Protista Signup and view all the answers

What is fungi?

A kingdom made up of non-green, Eukaryotic organisms Signup and view all the answers

What are archaebacteria?

Ancient life forms that evolved separately from bacteria and blue-green algae Signup and view all the answers

What is a prokaryote?

A unicellular organism that lacks a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles Signup and view all the answers

What is a eukaryote?

A cell that contains a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles Signup and view all the answers

What is a dichotomous key?

A key for the identification of organisms based on a series of choices Signup and view all the answers

What can dinoflagellates form?

Blooms that can be toxic Signup and view all the answers

What causes red tides?

A bloom of toxic red dinoflagellates Signup and view all the answers

What is bioluminescence?

The production of light by means of a chemical reaction in an organism Signup and view all the answers

What are diatoms?

A unicellular photosynthetic alga with a unique glassy cell wall containing silica Signup and view all the answers

What are plankton?

Tiny algae and animals that float in water and are carried by waves and currents Signup and view all the answers

What are fungus-like protists?

Slime molds and water molds Signup and view all the answers

What are plant-like protists?

Protists that make their own food through photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What are animal-like protists?

Protists that ingest or absorb food after capturing or trapping it Signup and view all the answers

What are foraminifera?

Marine protozoans that have variably shaped shells with small holes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Taxonomy and Classification

Taxonomy is the study of classifying organisms based on characteristics and relationships.
Organisms are classified into the hierarchy of Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
Classification relies on anatomical features to differentiate organisms.

Plankton Characteristics

Plankton include small organisms that float or drift in saltwater and freshwater ecosystems.
They serve as the foundation of marine food chains.
Plankton are classified into two main categories: meroplankton (temporary) and holoplankton (permanent).

Types of Plankton

Autotrophic organisms create their own food from inorganic sources.
Filter feeders capture small organisms from water currents for sustenance.
Cyanobacteria were the first photosynthetic organisms on Earth.
Coccolithophores and diatoms are types of phytoplankton; coccolithophores secrete calcareous shells, while diatoms have silica-based cell walls.
Dinoflagellates are primitive phytoplankton that can produce toxins and bioluminescent effects.

Zooplankton

Krill are the most abundant type of zooplankton, playing a crucial role in the oceanic food chain.
Vertical migration describes the daily movement patterns of zooplankton to evade predators.

Microbial Life Forms

Eubacteria are considered true bacteria, while archaebacteria represent ancient life forms evolved separately from true bacteria.
Protista includes eukaryotic organisms not suitable for classification as plants, animals, or fungi.
Fungi are non-green, eukaryotic organisms that reproduce using spores and acquire nutrients through decomposition.

Protists

Fungus-like protists include slime molds and water molds.
Plant-like protists can carry out photosynthesis to nourish themselves, while animal-like protists absorb or ingest food sources.
Foraminifera are marine protozoans with unique shell structures that assist in their identification.

Environmental Phenomena

Red tides result from blooms of toxic dinoflagellates, causing discoloration of coastal waters.
Bioluminescence is the ability of some organisms to produce light chemically, often seen in certain dinoflagellates.

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Explore the fascinating world of marine science through these flashcards on taxonomy and plankton. This quiz covers essential definitions and concepts central to understanding the classification of organisms in aquatic environments. Perfect for students aiming to enhance their knowledge of marine biology.