Unit 2: Marine Biology

Light does not reach the bottom of the ocean, yet certain species live there. Which best explains how species on the bottom of the ocean get energy to live?

• Algae and bacteria produce energy through photosynthesis.
• Hydrothermal vents produce energy through chemical reactions.
• Dead plants and animals produce energy through decomposition.
• Light comes from the core of the earth.

Another reason algae /phytoplankton are important is because these serve as _____________ to most food chains in the ocean

• salinity protection

• primary food source

• barriers from strong currents/weather systems

What is chemosynthesis?

• Where bacteria use light energy to make glucose.
• Where plants use light energy to make glucose
• Where bacteria use chemical reactions to make glucose

What is one reason that phytoplankton are important? 

• they clean the water
• they make oxygen
• they are food for us
• they make the water warmer

Dinoflagellates can cause __________ which is toxic to fish, shellfish and humans.

• Green TIde
• Red Tide
• Malaria
• Algal Bloom

Besides food and oxygen, what other role do marine plants do for marine organisms?

• habitats
• carbon dioxide
• light
• all of the above

Mangroves protect coastlines from erosion by acting as a natural barrier and flood defence. True or false?

• True
• False

How do salt marshes act as a buffer (protection)?

• B) when it is exposed during low tide

• A) when it is underwater during high tide

• C) when it protects the shoreline from high waves and wind

• D) when it is filled in and used for building

A heterotroph...

• is an autotroph

• eats other organisms

• is a primary producer

• is an autotroph & a primary producer

A connection of food chains with many food energy paths in an ecosystem is a ____________

• ecosystem
• food web
• environment