349 MBCB
Challenge Questions
Chapter
1 Introduction to the Marine
Environment
Research
will be needed to thoroughly complete the answers to these questions.
You are required to answer all of the following questions.
References must be listed and all answers typed to receive credit. Use the internet and library.
I also have some books that you may want to use.
( 5 points for each correct answer ).
1.
Describe
the peculiar temperature relationship of water. At what temperature ( in oC ) is water density the
greatest? What would the marine
environment at the poles be like if water had its density increase as the
temperature approaches 0 o C? Discuss.
2.
Would you
expect CO 2 to be limiting to plants for their photosynthesis in the
sea ? Why ?
3.
The
continental shelf extends offshore for up to 400 km off eastern Canada, but
extends only a few km offshore along most of the Pacific coast of North America.
Explain this relationship in terms of plate tectonics.
4.
What does
the term ectothermic ( poikilothermic ) mean? When the water temperature changes, what are the consequences
to the physiology of the organism?
5.
If
ectothermic animals like fish live in seawater, which is actually about 0 o
C, how come they don’t freeze? Discuss
6.
What
keeps the various water masses ( upper, middle, and deep ) from mixing?
7.
Why
don’t waves have much effect in disrupting a thermocline?
To what do the terms wavelength, frequency, and period refer in
relationship to waves?
8.
Explain
the Coriolis effect. Why is it not
considered to be a real force? Discuss.
9.
What is a
keystone species? What is a
keystone predator? How are humans a
keystone species?
10.
What
mechanism do planktonic organisms use to stay afloat?
11.
What is a
copepod? What is the genus name of
most abundant copepod in the sea? How
are copepods important to humans?
12.
Does salt
water freeze in the same way a distilled water? Discuss.
13.
How are
deep ocean currents driven by temperature and salinity differences?
14.
Why do
waves increase in height and finally break when they enter shallow water?
15.
Sound
travels faster in water than in air. How
does this fact influence marine and terrestrial predators that use sound to
detect prey?
16.
What are
the three larval types which Vance describes? What are the advantages of each?
Discuss
17.
Why would
a protozoan be considered a “ r – selected “ species?
Discuss.
18.
Why would
a whale be considered a “ K – selected “ species?
Discuss
19.
Why are
there no terrestrial animals with the ability to detect electrical activity in
other animals as is the case in marine animals? Discuss