VIDEO Ch 16 Continental Shelves & Neritic Zone

The feature called that extends into the water from the continent?

• Continental slope

• Continental rise

• Continental shelf

• Oceanic trench

The continental shelf _________________ as it moves away from the land.

• becomes deeper and wider

• stays shallow for a while before dropping off

• rises to form islands

• disappears completely

The neritic zone is best described as ...

• The area with no sunlight.

• The area above the continental shelf.

• The deepest part of the ocean.

• The area where oceanic plates meet.

How do the currents and waves affect the biodiversity in the neritic zone?

• They have no effect

• More turbulent waters support more life

• Calm waters can support a greater variety of organisms

• Only large currents support biodiversity

_________ tend to thrive in calmer waters of the neritic zone.

• Sea urchins

• Plankton

• Large fish

• Algae

Which of the following statements is true regarding the kelp's growth?

• Kelp grows slowly, taking years to mature.

• Kelp can grow 10 to 16.5 feet a week.

• Kelp does not photosynthesize.

• Kelp is not important for marine ecosystems.

A significant benefit of the kelp communities in the neritic zone is that they ...

• provide shelter and food for various organisms.

• reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the ocean floor.

• have no significant ecological role.

• only grow in deep waters.

What role do sea otters play in maintaining kelp forests?

• They have no role.

• They consume sea urchins, which can damage kelp.

• They eat kelp directly.

• They compete with kelp for nutrients.

What is the consequence of a disturbance in the benthic communities?

• They cannot recover.

• They will never be repopulated.

• They can eventually restore through succession.

• They immediately return to normal.

One of the main food sources for zooplankton is ...

• Dead and decaying matter

• Larger fish

• Micro phytoplankton

• Kelp