Bio Lab Exam 1

Question 1

What are fouling organisms?

Answer 1

Marine organisms that attach to submerged surfaces like ship hulls and docks.

Question 2

Why are fouling organisms negative for human enterprise?

Answer 2

They increase drag on ships, reduce fuel efficiency, and cause damage to underwater structures.

Question 3

What are the ecological benefits of fouling organisms?

Answer 3

They provide habitats and food sources for other marine life and contribute to biodiversity.

Question 4

What is the definition of a biological community?

Answer 4

A group of interacting species living in the same habitat.

Question 5

What is the definition of community succession?

Answer 5

The gradual process of change in species composition in an ecosystem over time.

Question 6

What are the different stages of succession?

Answer 6

• Pioneer stage – Initial colonizers like bacteria and algae.
• Intermediate stage – More complex species like barnacles and mussels.
• Climax stage – Stable, long-lasting species such as corals and sponges.

Question 7

What are the common parts of a microscope?

Answer 7

• Eyepiece
• Objective lenses
• Stage
• Coarse and fine focus knobs
• Light source
• Diaphragm

Question 8

What is the function of a microscope?

Answer 8

Microscopes magnify small objects for detailed observation.

Question 9

How are Earth’s geologic features distributed across the oceans?

Answer 9

• Mid-ocean ridges
• Deep-sea trenches
• Seamounts
• Abyssal plains

Question 10

What are the major types of plate boundaries?

Answer 10

• Divergent – Mid-Atlantic Ridge
• Convergent – Subduction zones like the Mariana Trench
• Transform – San Andreas Fault

Question 11

What type of geologic activity takes place at divergent boundaries?

Answer 11

Seafloor spreading and volcanic activity.

Question 12

What do paleomagnetism strips show on either side of a spreading center?

Answer 12

Symmetrical patterns of magnetic reversals, indicating seafloor spreading.

Question 13

How are lines of islands in the Pacific explained?

Answer 13

They are formed by hot spots, where magma rises through a stationary plume.

Question 14

What do hot spots tell us about the direction of plate movement?

Answer 14

The trail of volcanic islands shows the direction and speed of plate movement.

Question 15

What are exotic terrains?

Answer 15

Landmasses that have moved from their original location due to plate tectonics.

Question 16

What is the difference between an active margin and a passive margin?

Answer 16

• Active margin – Tectonically active (e.g., U.S. West Coast).
• Passive margin – No tectonic activity, stable (e.g., U.S. East Coast).

Question 17

How are Pacific and Atlantic type margins different?

Answer 17

• Pacific margins are active (earthquakes, volcanoes, trenches).
• Atlantic margins are passive (wide continental shelves, fewer earthquakes).

Question 18

What are guyots?

Answer 18

Flat-topped seamounts that were originally volcanic islands that eroded and subsided.

Question 19

What factors affect the density of water?

Answer 19

• Temperature
• Salinity
• Pressure

Question 20

What does a pH meter measure?

Answer 20

Acidity.

Question 21

What does an SCT meter measure?

Answer 21

Salinity, conductivity, temperature.

Question 22

What is a refractometer used for?

Answer 22

Measures salinity using light refraction.

Question 23

What does a hydrometer measure?

Answer 23

Liquid density.

Question 24

What is the function of a volumetric flask?

Answer 24

Used for precise liquid measurements.

Question 25

Which methods can determine water density?

Answer 25

* Measuring mass/volume directly. * Using a hydrometer.

Question 26

What factors affect dissolved oxygen?

Answer 26

* Temperature * Salinity * Water movement * Biological activity (photosynthesis, respiration)

Question 27

How is dissolved oxygen measured?

Answer 27

* Winkler titration * Oxygen probes

Question 28

Can dissolved oxygen be predicted?

Answer 28

Yes, based on temperature and salinity.

Question 29

What does pH indicate about seawater?

Answer 29

Lower pH means more CO₂ and acidity.

Question 30

How are pH and CO₂ related?

Answer 30

More dissolved CO₂ lowers pH.

Question 31

What is the general equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 31

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Question 32

What is the general equation for respiration?

Answer 32

C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Question 33

How does phenol red indicate photosynthesis?

Answer 33

It changes color with pH; less CO₂ (from photosynthesis) makes it more basic.

Question 34

What happens to CO₂ levels in water as photosynthesis proceeds?

Answer 34

CO₂ decreases.

Question 35

What were the two major groups of phytoplankton?

Answer 35

* Diatoms – Silica shells, found in cold waters. * Dinoflagellates – Flagella for movement, bioluminescent.

Question 36

What is the function of kelp mucus?

Answer 36

Protects from desiccation and pathogens.

Question 37

What is the difference between seagrasses and halophytes?

Answer 37

* Seagrasses grow underwater. * Halophytes tolerate salt but live in terrestrial environments.

Question 38

What are the major parts of kelp thallus?

Answer 38

* Holdfast – Anchors kelp. * Stipe – Stem-like structure. * Blades – Leaf-like parts. * Pneumatocyst – Gas-filled float.

Question 39

What are the classifications of algae and plants?

Answer 39

* Brown algae (Phaeophyta) – Kelp, Sargasso weed. * Green algae (Chlorophyta) – Sea lettuce. * Red algae (Rhodophyta) – Corallina, Gelidium. * Flowering plants (Anthophyta) – Surf grass, eelgrass.