Question

1. Explain why both rocky and sandy shores can be divided into different zones based on the variations in the organisms that dwell in these habitats and describe examples of distinct adaptations of biota within each of the environments that aid their survive in that setting.

2. What are the similarities and differences between pelagic and benthic provinces in the oceans and the characteristics of organisms that inhabit these different realms.

3. Marine organisms are adapted to the various physical requirements for life in the ocean associated with buoyancy, temperature variations, pressure regulation, salinity and light. Describe two separate examples of adaptations of evolved by different marine organisms in response to oceanic conditions.

4. Many environmental factors influence how the planktonic larvae of benthic organisms select sites for settling, but which of the following factors is the principal agent in their dispersal?

Ocean temperature

Ocean currents

Chemical released by adult benthos

Ocean salinity

Intensity of sunlight

Answer 1

1. The shores can be divided into different zones based on the organisms because these zonation itself is enough to help us know at what elevations that particular region of rock is, and alos how much fluctuations is there in the environment of different zones. The different zones with distinct adaptations are:

(a) Supratidal : Symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae.

(b) Intertidal : Evaporative cooling technique with better circulation of blood

(c) Subtidal : More stable and less extreme than other zones, mostly algaes capable of feeding sunlight.

2. Benthic zones starts and extends into deep waters, this zone doesn't recieve sunlight so no photosynthesis based organisms exist in this zone, whereas the Pelagic zone interacts directly with the atmosphere, and photosynthesis based organisms exist in this zone. Benthic zones are deep water zones and Pelagic are the upper surface zones.

3. Some adaptations are :

As we go into depths, the bodies of different organisms becomes more softer, so that it can sustain such huge pressure in the depths of water.

Having specialised ion pumps in cells to deal with high salinity in the environment.

4. Ocean currents are one of the principal agents in their dispersion.