Oceanography Chapter 13 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the photic zone?

The photic is the uppermost layer of seawater lit by the sun.

What is the most accurate term for the feeding relationships among organisms living in the ocean?

Food web

What model describes who eats whom and shows that only 10% of the energy is transmitted from one level to the next?

Trophic pyramid

In which zone would phytoplankton such as diatoms be most productive with respect to photosynthesis?

Euphotic zone Signup and view all the answers

What is a heterotroph?

Heterotrophs are organisms such as animals that must consume food from other organisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main process of binding energy into carbohydrates on Earth?

Photosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

Define diffusion.

Diffusion is the movement driven by heat of molecules from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration. Signup and view all the answers

How do hydrothermal vent communities capture energy in the absence of sunlight?

Chemosynthesis Signup and view all the answers

What unifies all life on Earth?

We are all carbon-based life forms. Signup and view all the answers

If something is living, what ability does it generally possess?

To reproduce Signup and view all the answers

What happens on a cellular level to a marine fish placed in freshwater in terms of osmosis?

The fish will swell up as water moves from a higher concentration to a lower concentration inside the fish. Signup and view all the answers

What type of environment describes a salmon migrating from the ocean to freshwater rivers?

Hypertonic and hypotonic Signup and view all the answers

If there are 10,000 kg of primary producers, how much energy would be transferred to primary consumers?

1,000 kg Signup and view all the answers

How would you describe the environment of a fish with an internal solute concentration of 18 ppt in ocean water at 32 ppt?

The fish is hypotonic. Signup and view all the answers

What term best describes copepods in terms of feeding relationships?

Primary consumers Signup and view all the answers

What term best describes phytoplankton and Archaeans in terms of feeding relationships?

Autotrophs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ocean Zones and Productivity

Photic Zone: Upper layer of seawater with sunlight penetration.
Euphotic Zone: Subsection of the photic zone, where most oceanic biological productivity occurs.
Disphotic Zone: Below the euphotic zone, still receiving some light but not adequate for photosynthesis.
Aphotic Zone: Permanently dark layer beneath the photic zone, extending to the ocean floor.

Ecosystem Dynamics

Food Web: The network of feeding relationships among marine organisms.
Trophic Pyramid: Model illustrating energy transfer in ecosystems, showing only 10% energy transmission from one level to the next.

Phytoplankton and Photosynthesis

Phytoplankton Productivity: Most productive in the euphotic zone due to ample sunlight for photosynthesis.
Autotrophs: Organisms like phytoplankton that create their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.
Heterotrophs: Organisms (e.g., animals) that must consume other organisms for food.

Energy Conversion Processes

Photosynthesis: Primary method for binding energy into carbohydrates.
Chemosynthesis: Energy capture method for hydrothermal vent communities, converting inorganic molecules into glucose without sunlight.

Transport Mechanisms

Diffusion: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration, driven by heat.
Osmosis: Specific type of diffusion involving water movement through a semipermeable membrane.
Active Transport: Movement of molecules from low to high concentration across a membrane, requiring energy.

Life Characteristics and Adaptations

Carbon-Based Life: All life on Earth is fundamentally composed of carbon.
Reproduction: Key characteristic distinguishing living from non-living things.
Osmoregulation: In freshwater environments, marine fish swell due to water influx, as they are in a hypotonic environment. Conversely, salmon migrate from hypertonic ocean waters to hypotonic freshwater for spawning.

Energy Dynamics in Food Chains

Primary Producers: If there are 10,000 kg of primary producers, 1,000 kg will be transferred to primary consumers and 100 kg to secondary consumers.
Feeding Roles: Copepods are considered primary consumers as they feed on phytoplankton.

Environmental Context

Solute Concentration: A fish with an internal concentration of 18 ppt in seawater (32 ppt) is hypotonic and experiences osmotic stress as it retains water to balance external solute levels.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the different zones of the ocean with flashcards. This quiz focuses on the photic, euphotic, disphotic, and aphotic zones, explaining their characteristics and significance in oceanography. Perfect for reviewing key concepts from chapter 13.