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141 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back
abiotic
A non-living (physical or chemical) component of the environment.
aboral surface
The surface opposite the mouth (or oral surface) in cnidarians, comb jellies, and echinoderms.
abyssal plain
The nearly flat region of the deep-sea floor.
abyssal zone
The bottom from a depth of approximately 4,000 m to 6,000 m.
abyssopelagic zone
The pelagic environment from a depth of 4,000 m to 6,000 m.
active continental margin
A continental margin that is colliding with another plate and as a result is geologically active.
active transport
The transfer of substances across membranes by a cell against a concentration gradient.
adductor muscle
One of two muscles that close a bivalve's shells.
aerobic respiration
The chemical process involved in the release of energy from organic matter. Organic matter (glucose) + oxygen (O2) --> carbon dioxide (CO2) + water (H20)
agar
A commercially important phycocolloid extracted from red algae.
alga (pl. algae)
Any of several groups of eukaryotic, autotrophic protists that lack the structural features (true leaves, roots, and stems) of plants.
algal ridge
A ridge of coralline algae that is found on the outer edge of some coral reefs.
algal turf
A dense growth of often filamentous algae.
algin
A phycocolloid extracted from brown algae that is widely used in food processing.
alternation of generations
A reproductive cycle in which a sexual stage alternates with an asexual one, as in the case of a gametophyte alternating with a sporophyte.
ambergris
Undigested material that accumulates in the intestine of the sperm whale.
ambulacral groove
Each of the radiating channels of echinoderms through which tube feet protrude.
amino acid
One of the 20 nitrogen-containing molecules that make up proteins.
amphibians
Vertebrates that lay their eggs in fresh water: frogs, salamanders, and allies.
amphipods
A group of small, laterally compressed crustaceans that includes beach hoppers and others.
ampulla (pl. ampullae) of Lorenzini
One of several sensory structures in the head of sharks that detect weak electric fields.
anadromous
Marine fishes that migrate to fresh water to breed.
anaerobic bacteria
Bacteria that do not need oxygen.
anaerobic respiration
The breaking down of organic matter by organisms in the absence of oxygen.
anal fin
The last ventral fin of fishes.
animals
Members of the kingdom Animalia, which consists of heterotrophic, eukaryotic, multicellular organisms.
anoxic
Lacking oxygen.
antenna
A sensory appendage on the head of arthropods.
anthozoans
Cnidarians whose life cycle consists of a complex polyp and no medusa.
anthropogenic impact
Disturbance to the natural environment caused by humans.
apneustic breathing
Breathing pattern shown in many marine mammals that involves deep breaths followed by exhalation.
aquaculture
The farming of marine and freshwater organisms.
archaea (sing. archaeum)
Prokaryotic, unicellular microorganisms in the domain archaea.
Aristotle's lantern
The set of jaws and associated muscles used by sea urchins to bite off food.
arrow worms
Planktonic invertebrates characterized by a streamlined, transparent body.
arthropods
Invertebrates that have jointed appendages and a chitinous, segmented exoskeleton.
asexual (vegetative) reproduction
The type of reproduction that takes place without the formation of gametes.
asthenosphere
The layer of upper mantle that lies below the lithosphere.
atoll
A coral reef that develops as a ring around a central lagoon.
atom
The smallest unit into which an element can be divided and still retains its properties.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
A molecule that stores energy and releases it to power chemical reactions in organisms.
autotroph
An organism that manufactures its own organic matter by using energy from the sun or other sources.
auxospore
The resistant stage of diatoms that restores the maximum size characteristic to the species.
back reef
The inner part of a barrier reef or an atoll.
bacterium (sing. bacterium)
Prokaryotic, unicellular microorganisms in the domain Bacteria.
bacteriophages
Viruses that infect bacteria.
baleen
The filtering plates that hang from the upper jaws of baleen whales.
baleen whales
The filter-feeding whales.
bar-built estuary
An estuary that is formed when a barrier island or sand bar separates a section of the coast where fresh water enters.
barnacles
Crustaceans that live attached to surfaces and are typically enclosed by heavy calcareous plates.
barophilic
Pressure-loving. Applied to organisms or enzymes that grow or function best, or only, at high pressure.
barrier island
A long and narrow island that is built by waves along the coast.
barrier reef
A type of coral reef that develops at some distance from the coast.
basalt
The dark-colored rock that forms the sea floor, or oceanic crust.
bathyal zone
The bottom between the shelf break and a depth of approximately 4,000 m.
bathypelagic zone
The pelagic environment from a depth of 1,000 m to 4,000 m.
beard worms (pogonophorans)
Tube-dwelling annelids that lack a digestive system.
benthos
Organisms that live on the bottom.
big bang theory
The theory that a cosmic explosion produced clouds of dust and gas from which the earth and solar system originated.
bilateral symmetry
The arrangement of body parts in such a way that there are only two identical halves, with different anterior and posterior ends and dorsal and ventral surfaces.
binomial nomenclature
A system of naming species using two names, the first of which refers to the genus.
biodegradable
Able to be broken down by bacteria or other organisms.
biogenous sediment
Sediment that is made up of the skeletons and shells of marine organisms.
biological clock
A repeated rhythm that is synchronized with crime.
biological magnification
The increased concentration of non-biodegradable chemicals in the higher levels of the food chain.
bioluminescence
The production of light by living organisms.
biomass
The total mass of living organisms.
biotic
A living component of the environment.
bioturbator
A member of the infauna that moves sediment while burrowing or feeding.
birds
(class Aves) Vertebrates that have feathers and lay eggs with calcified shells on land.
bivalves
(class Bivalvia) Clams, mussels, and other molluscs that possess a two-valved shell, filtering gills, and a shovel-like foot.
black corals
(order Antipatharia) Colonial anthozoans that secrete a black protein skeleton.
black smoker
A chimney-like accumulation of mineral deposits that is found at hydrothermal vents.
blade
The leaf-like portion of the thallus of a seaweed.
bleaching
The expulsion of zooxanthellae by reef corals in response to stress.
bloom
A sudden increase in the abundance of an alga or phytoplankton.
blowhole
The nostrils, or nasal openings, of cetaceans.
blubber
A thick layer of fat under the skin of many marine mammals.
bony fishes (Osteichthyes)
Fishes with a skeleton made mostly of bone; they also have opercula and fin rays.
boring sponges
Sponges that bore through calcareous skeletons and shells.
bradychardia
The slowing down of heart rate during diving in marine mammals.
breaching
Leaping into the air by whales.
brittle stars
(class Ophiuroidea) Echinoderms with five flexible arms that radiate from a conspicuous central disk and tube feet that are used in feeding.
brown algae
(phylum Heterokontophyta, class Phaeophyta) Seaweeds with a predominance of yellow and brown pigments.
bryozoans
(phylum Ectoprocta or Bryozoa) Small, colonial, encrusting invertebrates with delicate, often lace-like skeletons.
budding
A type of asexual reproduction by which a separate, new individual is produced from a small outgrowth, or bud.
by-catch
Non-target catch that is taken while fishing for other species.
byssal threads
Strong fibers secreted by mussels for attachment.
calcareous
Made of calcium carbonate.
calcareous green algae
Green algae that deposit calcium carbonate in their thallus.
calcareous ooze
A type of biogenous sediment that is made of the calcium carbonate shells and skeletons of marine organisms.
calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
A mineral that is the major component of the shell, skeleton, and other parts of many organisms.
capsid
The outer protein coat of viruses.
carapace
The shield-like structure that covers the anterior portion of some crustaceans; the shell of sea turtles.
carbohydrate
An organic compound that consists of chains or rings of carbon with hydrogen and oxygen attached to them.
carbon (C)
An element that is an essential constituent of all organic compounds.
carbon cycle
The cyclic conversion of carbon between carbon dioxide and various organic compounds.
carbon dating
A procedure used to determine the age of recent fossils.
carbon dioxide (CO2)
A colorless gas that is required in the process of photosynthesis.
carbon fixation
The conversion of inorganic carbon into energy-rich organic carbon, usually by photosynthesis.
carnivore
An animal that eats other animals. A top carnivore is one that feeds at the top of the food chain.
carotenoid
One of a group of yellow, orange, and red plant pigments.
carposporophyte
A diploid generation found in the red algae. It produces non-motile carpospores.
carrageenan
A phycocolloid extracted from red algae that is widely used in food processing.
carrying capacity
The maximum population size that can be sustained by the available resources in a given environment.
cartilaginous fishes
(Chondrichthyes) Fishes with a skeleton made of cartilage: sharks, rays, skates, and ratfishes (or chimeras).
catadromous
Freshwater fishes that migrate to sea to breed.
caudal fin
The posterior, or tail, fin of fishes.
cellulose
A complex carbohydrate that is the main component of fibers and other support structures in plants.
central nervous system
The brain (or a similar aggregation of nerve cells)and one or more nerve cords.
central rift valley
A depression in the mid-ocean ridge.
cephalopods
(class Cephalopoda) Octopuses, squids, and other molluscs that possess a foot modified into arms that surround the head.
cephalothorax
The anterior portion of the body of many arthropods, which consists of the head fused with other body segments.
cetaceans
(order Cetacea) Marine mammals with anterior flippers, no posterior limbs, and a dorsal fin: whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
chemosynthetic (chemoautotrophic) prokaryotes
Autotrophic bacteria and archaea that use energy by releasing it from particular chemical compounds.
chitin
A complex derivative of carbohydrates that is the main component of the skeleton of many animals.
chitons
(class Polyplacophora) Molluscs that have a shell divided into eight overlapping plates.
chloride cells
Cells in the gills of fishes that are involved in the excretion of excess salts.
chlorinated hydrocarbons
A group of non-biodegradable, synthetic chemicals. Some are toxic and become pollutants.
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Chemicals, used in sprays, air conditioners, and other products, that affect the ozone layer.
chlorophyll
A green photosynthetic pigment.
chloroplast
The organelle where photosynthesis takes place.
chordates
(phylum Chordata) Animals that display a hollow dorsal nerve cord, gill slits, and a notochord. Includes the protochordates and the vertebrates.
chromatophore
A skin cell that contains pigment.
chromosome
The cell structure where DNA is located.
ciguatera
A type of food poisoning contracted from eating certain tropical fishes. It results from a toxin produced by a dinoflagellate.
ciliary comb
One of eight bands of cilia fused at the base that is found in comb jellies.
ciliates
A group of protozoans that have cilia.
cilium
A short, hair-like flagellum that is found in large numbers and used in movement, for pushing food particles, and in other functions.
clasper
A copulatory organ along the inner edge of each pelvic fin in male sharks and other cartilaginous fishes.
cleaning associations
A symbiotic association in which a smaller partner regularly removes parasites from fishes.
climax community
The final stage in an ecological succession.
cloaca
The common opening for the intestine and the excretory and reproductive systems of cartilaginous fishes and other animals.
clone
A series of genetically identical cells or individuals that have developed from a single cell or individual.
cnidarians
Invertebrates with nematocysts and radial symmetry.
cnidocyte
A cell that contains a nematocyst.
coastal management
The use of coastal resources with the intention of preserving them.
coccolithophorids
Unicellular, eukaryotic members of the phytoplankton that have calcareous, button-like structures, or coccoliths.
coelacanths
A group of lobed-fin fossil fishes. Latimeria was first discovered alive in 1952.
coelom
The body cavity found in structurally complex animals.
coelomic fluid
The fluid that fills the coelom of echinoderms and other invertebrates.