Please submit a .docx file.
I. Plankton
Please answer the following questions: (4 points)
1. In 3 – 4 sentences, describe why plankton account for a much larger percentage of the ocean’s biomass than benthos and nekton combined. (2 pts)
2. Explain in 3 – 4 sentences why hydrozoans and scyphozoans (jellies) are classified as macroscopic forms of zooplankton and not nekton. (2 pts)
II. Benthos
The surprising discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and their bio-communities has been one of the most important finds in the modern history of ocean discovery. The subject of hydrothermal vents was covered in your reading and lecture.
Answer the following questions: (8 points)
1. Why is the smoke from a black smoker black? (3-4 sentences). (2 pts)
2. In 4 to 5 sentences, discuss the symbiotic relationship between archaea and the tube worms (or giant clams) found at hydrothermal vents (at a minimum must include: what do they exchange or provide to each other? Where does their food come from? What is the symbiotic relationship called?). (2 pts)
3. Explain in 4 to 5 sentences what causes a vent bio-community to die. (2 pts)
4. Explain chemosynthesis and its importance to vent communities? (2 pts)
III. Nekton
Sharks are simply awesome. Please answer the following questions (HINT: Please try to research on your own. If you are not able to find the answers please substitute another fun fact about sharks). (8 points)
1. If sharks are fish and fish obtain oxygen (i.e., breathe) via water passing across their gills from swimming, how do you explain sharks resting on the bottom of the seafloor? (2 pts)
2. What 3 shark species are responsible for most attacks on humans? Annually, how do shark attacks compare to being struck by lightning in the U.S.? What do these data tell you? (3 pts)
3. Of the following locations in our home of Tampa Bay, which one would you most expect to find a shark in and why (notice the decreasing salinity of the bodies of water listed)? Which one would you least expect to find a shark in and why? A. Gulf of Mexico B. Tampa Bay Estuary C. Alafia River (3 pts)
