Life in the Ocean

Life in the Ocean

Life in the ocean

Plants mush have sunlight to make their food by photosynthesis. For this reason plants can only live within 300 meters of the ocean surface.

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are microscopic plantas that float in the surface waters. They create most of the food for the other living things in the ocean. They are the start of the ocean food chain.

Zooplankton

Zooplankton are microscopic animals that feed on phytoplankton. Shrimps, worms, shellfish, small fish, giant sharks, whales and countless other marine species feed on plankton and/or each other.

Basking shark

It is a filter feeder. It filters great mouthfuls of ocean water through its gills to feed on plankton and other small sea creatures.

Creatures of the deep

• Species that live at depths of 300 meters and more have special adaptations to survives. There is little light down here so some have very large eyes.

• Many are bioluminescent (their bodies make light by chemical reactions)

QUIZ TIME

Multiple Choice

As you descend into the ocean the water gets ______ and _______

• warmer, lighter

• colder, darker

Multiple Choice

The weight of the water above you is greater, so the _______ increases with depth.

• plankton

• pressure

Multiple Choice

Microscopic plants and animals that live in the surface water are called_____

• plankton

• basking sharks

Multiple Choice

Many deep sea creatures produce light bye chemical reactions in their bodies - they are _____-

• monsters

• bioluminescent

FINISH