Science Benchmark Review #1

Front

What causes ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents are primarily caused by wind patterns and differences in water temperature and salinity.

Front

What are the two basic movements of ocean water?

Back

The two basic movements of ocean water are currents and tides.

Front

What is a community in an ecosystem?

Back

A community is made up of different populations of plants and animals living together in a specific area.

Front

Which area of the ocean has the least amount of living organisms?

Back

The continental shelf has the least amount of living organisms compared to other areas.

Front

What is the Continental Slope?

Back

The Continental Slope is the steeply sloping area of the ocean floor that leads down from the continental shelf.

Front

What is the role of the sun in ocean currents?

Back

The sun heats the water, creating temperature differences that contribute to ocean currents.

Front

What are tides?

Back

Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

Front

What is an ecosystem?

Back

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

Front

What is the difference between a population and a community?

Back

A population consists of individuals of the same species, while a community includes different species living together.

Front

What is the abyssal plain?

Back

The abyssal plain is a flat, deep area of the ocean floor, typically found at depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters.