SOL 4.7 Oceans

Front

What is the California current?

Back

The California current is a cold ocean current that flows southward along the west coast of the United States, influencing the climate and marine life in the region.

Front

What is the Gulf Stream?

Back

The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that flows northward along the east coast of the United States, playing a significant role in regulating the climate of the eastern U.S. and Western Europe.

Front

What is phytoplankton?

Back

Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms in the ocean that use sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the ocean food web.

Front

What type of ecosystem is an ocean?

Back

An ocean is a marine ecosystem, characterized by saltwater and a diverse range of organisms.

Front

What is an ocean food chain?

Back

An ocean food chain is a sequence that shows how energy and nutrients flow from one organism to another in the ocean, starting from producers like phytoplankton to top predators like sharks.

Front

What role do large sharks play in the ocean food web?

Back

Large sharks are apex predators in the ocean food web, helping to maintain the balance of marine life by controlling the populations of other species.

Front

What is the significance of ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents are significant because they affect climate, weather patterns, and the distribution of nutrients and marine life in the ocean.

Front

What is the difference between a marine ecosystem and a freshwater ecosystem?

Back

A marine ecosystem is characterized by saltwater environments like oceans and seas, while a freshwater ecosystem includes rivers, lakes, and ponds with low salt concentrations.

Front

What are one-celled organisms in the ocean?

Back

One-celled organisms, such as bacteria and some types of phytoplankton, are the simplest forms of life in the ocean and play crucial roles in nutrient cycling.

Front

What is the role of tuna in the ocean food web?

Back

Tuna are important consumers in the ocean food web, feeding on smaller fish and serving as prey for larger predators like sharks.