13 Jan A living single-celled organism such as a phytoplankton

mirane science exam of 54 questions
Which evidence indicates the ocean plays a large role in climate change?

As temperatures rise, ocean ecosystems expand and spread out.

Heat in the ocean is constantly moving from south to north.

The ocean absorbs and transports heat around the world.

The ocean produces more heat than the atmosphere.

Question 2(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(03.01 MC)

Seasonal variations in ocean temperatures can impact the populations of living organisms in the ocean. How would a phytoplankton population be affected by these changes?

Due to the large size of the ocean, there is not much temperature change, so there would be no impact on the phytoplankton population.

Due to the large size of the ocean, the change in temperature would be small, so the phytoplankton population would thrive.

Higher ocean temperatures allow for phytoplankton to bloom, which increases the phytoplankton population.

Lower ocean temperatures allow for phytoplankton to bloom, which increases the phytoplankton population.

Question 3(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(01.04 MC)

Use the following data profiles to best describe the effect on salinity as temperature decreases and depth increases.

Data profiles illustrate temperature and depth relationship. The Thermocline profile illustrates from 500-0m the temperature rapidly increases from10-25 degrees Celsius. The Halocline profile illustrates from 500m-0m a steady increase in salinity from 34.5 to 35 percent respectively. The Pycnocline profile illustrates a density of 1.03-1.02.

© 2015 by The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

As depth increases and temperature decreases, salinity decreases greatly.

As depth increases and temperature decreases, salinity slightly decreases.

As depth increases and temperature decreases, salinity increases greatly.

As depth increases and temperature decreases, salinity slightly increases.

Question 4(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(02.05 MC)

Due to human activity, the temperature of the ocean has increased to above normal conditions, causing coral bleaching to occur. What consequence on ocean ecosystems will this event most likely have?

Larger animals, like marine mammals, must adapt to new sources of food.

More sediment in the water blocks sunlight from reaching the reef system.

Reef food webs are being disrupted and significantly losing biodiversity.

The water is becoming more acidic, causing shells of plankton to weaken.

Question 5(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(03.06 MC)

What can be said about the diversity of life in the high tide zone compared to that of the low tide zone?

There is more biodiversity in the high tide zone because there is plenty of sunlight.

There is less biodiversity in the high tide zone because the tidal changes make survival difficult.

There is more biodiversity in the high tide zone because the waves bring additional nutrients to the area.

There is less biodiversity in the high tide zone because there is less water here than in other regions shown.

Question 6(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(02.06 LC)

Researchers have found that increasing global temperatures will cause methane (CH4), a greenhouse gas, to be emitted at increasing rates by microorganisms found in freshwater ecosystems. What biogeochemical cycle will be most directly affected by this increase in methane?

Carbon cycle

Hydrogeological cycle

Nitrogen cycle

Phosphorous cycle

Question 7(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(01.03 MC)

What is the source of oxygen in the epipelagic zone?

Photosynthesis and diffusion from deeper ocean zones

Photosynthesis and diffusion from the air

Respiration and diffusion from deeper ocean zones

Respiration and diffusion from the air

Question 8(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(02.01 HC)

Looking at the map below, predict what type of boundary is present and the resulting features of the boundary at the Philippine Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

map showing the Eurasian Plate and Philippine plates colliding. Arrows are pointing toward each other from each plate boundary.

© 2016 2016 Bucknell University

Earthquakes; volcanic activity; island chains

Fault lines; shallow earthquakes

Mid-ocean ridge; Fault lines; creation of new seafloor

Mid-ocean ridge; widening of ocean basin; creation of new seafloor

Question 9(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(03.01 MC)

You are monitoring coral growth on a specific site for several months. Over time, you notice that some of the coral colonies are beginning to turn white and die. What process could you infer is happening on the coral reef site?

The coral reef is experiencing succession, so over time the coral will continue to die off gradually as the zooxanthellae algae leaves the coral polyps.

The coral reef is experiencing succession, so the coral will continue to die off quickly as the zooxanthellae algae leaves the coral polyps.

The coral reef is experiencing climate change, so the rise in ocean temperatures is causing the coral to bleach as the zooxanthellae algae leaves the coral polyps.

The coral reef is experiencing climate change, so the coral will die off from seasonal variation, which has no impact on zooxanthellae algae in the coral polyps.

Question 10(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(01.04 MC)

The Earth is a unique planet in that it is covered by more than 70 percent water. There are several properties of water that make Earth a suitable environment for life, including how the density of solid water (ice) is about nine percent less than the density of liquid water. Which best explains why this feature of water is important for marine life?

Ice forms from the bottom of the water column up, allowing organisms to freeze and enter hibernation.

Ice forms from the top of the water column down, creating a protective barrier over the liquid water.

The higher-density liquid water shelters organisms from cold air better than the less-dense ice.

The higher-density liquid water traps nutrients for primary producers better than the less-dense ice.

Question 11(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(02.01 MC)

Researchers find an interesting geological formation on the ocean floor. How can they tell whether plates are colliding or moving apart due to spreading seafloor in this region?

If the seafloor has relatively little sediment and is young, then it is spreading there.

If the seafloor has evidence of wrinkling, then the seafloor must be spreading.

If the seafloor has relatively little sediment and is young, then plates are colliding there.

If the seafloor has many volcanoes, then it must be spreading and the plates are not converging.

Question 12(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(02.01 HC)

Fossil evidence has been used to understand the movement of continental plates. If a particular species of animal was abundant and able to spread across the entire continuous landmass but not across oceans during the Cretaceous period, then predict which of the following could be true of its fossils using the figure below.

Maps showing the Permian Period (225 million years ago) when the continent was known as Pangaea, Triassic Period (200 million years ago) shows the splitting of Pangaea into two continents; Laurasia and Gondwana Land, The Jurassic Period (150 million years ago) shows the separation of the continents increasing and into smaller continents, The Cretaceous period (65 million years ago) shows a further separation of the continents with more water in-between the continents. The last map image shows present day continents North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and Antarctica.

Public Domain

The fossils could be found in both North and South America.

The fossils could be found in North America and Asia.

The fossils could be found in North America and Australia.

The fossils could be found on all continents.

Question 13(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(03.03 HC)

A blue tang is a tropical fish that is blue in color. What conclusion can be drawn regarding why the blue tang appears to be blue?

As light moves through the water and strikes the tang, blue light is absorbed.

As light moves from the tang back through the water, blue light is refracted.

As light moves through the water and strikes the tang; all colors of light except blue are absorbed.

As light moves from the tang back through the water, all colors of light except blue are refracted.

Question 14(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(02.05.HC)

The graph below shows ocean data relating to climate change. Explain why both the atmospheric and seawater carbon dioxide levels are rising simultaneously.

Graph shows ocean data related to climate change. From 1960 to 2010 the amount of seawater carbon dioxide ranges from 315 to 380. From 1990 to 2010 the seawater pH ranges from 8.13 to 8.08 and the atmospheric carbon dioxide ranges from 8.13 to 8.30.

© 2015, Ocean Portal (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Carbon dioxide levels are increasing in the air, and the ocean is absorbing carbon dioxide; atmospheric levels are increasing so much that the increase is still apparent even with increasing absorption of carbon dioxide by the ocean.

Carbon dioxide levels are increasing in the atmosphere, and in the ocean simultaneously due to different processes; these patterns are not related.

Carbon dioxide levels are increasing in the atmosphere, and the ocean absorbs this carbon dioxide, so the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels will begin to decrease in the future as more is absorbed by the ocean.

Carbon dioxide levels are increasing in the ocean, and the ocean releases carbon dioxide into the air. The most carbon dioxide the ocean contains, the more it can release into the air.

Question 15(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(01.03 LC)

Deep water rises along the coast of Peru to replace surface water carried away from the coast by strong winds. Why is upwelling important?

It delivers cold water to the epipelagic zone, decreasing rates of photosynthesis.

It delivers nutrients to the well-lit epipelagic zone, stimulating photosynthesis.

It delivers well oxygenated water to the epipelagic zone, stimulating photosynthesis.

It delivers more zooplankton to the area, decreasing the rates of photosynthesis.

Question 16(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(1.01 LC)

Off of the coast of Florida, scientists are studying the effects of human activity on the local Atlantic Sailfish population. Marine chemists, marine biologists, marine geologists, and physical oceanographers are all involved in the study. Which discipline is most likely represented by a scientist analyzing seawater?

Marine biology

Marine chemistry

Marine geology

Physical oceanography

Question 17(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(03.02 LC)

Which of the following is an example of an open system?

An aquarium with both plants and animals

An enzyme found in deep ocean organisms that allows them to glow

A living single-celled organism such as a phytoplankton

A river that has been dammed

Question 18(Multiple Choice Worth 3 points)

(03.02 HC)

Scientists wanted to cultivate fish in a closed system. What features should be inclu