Biology Test Biology Marine Biology & Aquatic Ecosystems 3

Question 1

What is the main cause of ocean acidification?

Accepted Answer

Increased absorption of atmospheric CO2 forming carbonic acid

Answer

Volcanic eruptions on the seafloor

Answer

Agricultural runoff of phosphates

Answer

Warmer sea surface temperatures

Question 2

Mangrove forests provide which key ecological service in coastal ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Coastal stabilization, nursery habitat, and carbon sequestration

Answer

Deep-water oxygen production

Answer

Open-ocean nutrient cycling

Answer

Freshwater purification via reverse osmosis

Question 3

Which term describes organisms that live suspended or swimming in open water, unable to overcome currents?

Accepted Answer

Plankton

Answer

Nekton

Answer

Benthos

Answer

Neuston

Question 4

The thermohaline circulation (global ocean conveyor belt) is driven by differences in:

Accepted Answer

Water density due to temperature and salinity

Answer

Wind speed at the surface

Answer

Tidal forces from the moon

Answer

Biological oxygen consumption

Question 5

Eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems is most directly caused by excess:

Accepted Answer

Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff

Answer

Heavy metals from industrial waste

Answer

Sediment from deforestation

Answer

Thermal pollution from power plants

Question 6

Which structural feature distinguishes bony fish (Osteichthyes) from cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes)?

Accepted Answer

A swim bladder for buoyancy regulation

Answer

Presence of fins

Answer

Gill respiration

Answer

Lateral line system