Deck 13: Biological Productivity and Energy Transfer

Question 1

Tropical marine waters have the highest rate of primary productivity in the world's oceans.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

Equatorial upwelling decreases primary production in tropical waters.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The group of marine algae with the highest abundance and greatest geographic distribution belong to the Division Rhodophyt
A.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations have no impact on primary productivity rates in marine ecosystems.

Question 5

Diatoms are classified as members of the Division Chlorophyt
A.

Question 6

Primary productivity in temperate marine systems is limited by the amount of available solar radiation.

Question 7

Bacteria that manufacture carbohydrates in the absence of solar energy from inorganic carbon are autotrophs.

Question 8

Marine algae that grow close to the limits of light penetration have accessory photosynthetic pigments that absorb high energy, short-wavelength light in the blue region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Question 9

Most marine algae are limited to depths above 100 meters; red algae have been observed growing at depths of over 250 meters.

Question 10

Consumers, producers, and decomposers are all examples of trophic levels within a food chain or food we
B.

Question 11

If the total caloric content of the autotrophic organisms in a marine ecosystem were 250,000 KCAL, then the expected caloric value for the second-level consumers would be 25,000 KCAL.

Question 12

An overabundance of organic matter results in eutrophication.

Question 13

The by-products of photosynthesis are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

Question 14

Energy flow is unidirectional in contrast to nutrients, which cycle in ecosystems.

Question 15

The amount of carbon dioxide concentrations and available nutrients affect the rate of primary production in an ecosystem.

Question 16

Net primary production can be estimated as the amount of photosynthesis plus the amount of respiration.

Question 17

Compensation depth is the depth in the ocean where the photosynthetic rates exceeds the rate of cellular respiration.

Question 18

The depth at which the cellular respiration rate equals the photosynthetic rate is referred to as the:

A) calcium compensation depth.
B) epipelagic depth.
C) euphotic zone.
D) oxygen compensation depth.
E) productive zone.

Question 19

Diatoms, important producers in the epipelagic open ocean, are members of the Division:

A) Angiospermae.
B) Bacillariophyta.
C) Chlorophyta.
D) Haptophyta.
E) Pyrrophyta.

Question 20

In temperate oceans during the summer months:

A) nutrient concentrations are high, solar input is low, and oxygen solubility decreases.
B) nutrient concentrations are high, solar input is high, and oxygen solubility decreases.
C) nutrient concentrations are high, solar input is high, and oxygen solubility increases.
D) nutrient concentrations are low, solar input is high, and oxygen solubility decreases.
E) nutrient concentrations are low, solar input is high, and oxygen solubility increases.

Question 21

Overproduction of organic matter resulting in anoxic conditions is attributed to:

A) autotrophication.
B) eutrophication.
C) net primary productivity.
D) photoperiodicity.
E) phototropism.

Question 22

An important marine autotroph that has SiO₂ incorporated in the cell walls are:

A) coccolithophorids.
B) cyanobacteria.
C) diatoms.
D) dinoflagellates.
E) radiolarians.

Question 23

Bacteria that make their own carbohydrates by obtaining energy from chemical compounds and not directly from the sun are:

A) chemoautotrophs.
B) cyanobacteria.
C) heterotrophs.
D) phytoplankton.
E) protists.

Question 24

Although primary productivity in tropical areas is generally low, which of the following tropical locations have unusually high primary productivity rates?

A) coastal upwelling zones
B) coral reefs
C) equatorial upwelling zones
D) mangrove swamps
E) All of the above tropical areas have relatively high primary productivity.

Question 25

In primary production:

A) carbon dioxide is released into the water.
B) oxygen is utilized by plants.
C) oxygen utilized by animals is less than the oxygen consumed by autotrophs.
D) proteins are made by animals.
E) there is a net gain in organic carbon.

Question 26

The relative productivity in the world's oceans from most productive to least productive is:

A) polar waters, temperate waters, tropical waters.
B) polar waters, tropical waters, temperate waters.
C) temperate waters, polar waters, tropical waters.
D) temperate waters, tropical waters, polar waters.
E) tropical waters, temperate waters, polar waters.

Question 27

The distinction between a food chain and a food web is that a food chain describes a linear relationship among trophic levels whereas a food web describes the interconnected relationships among trophic structures in nature.

Question 28

An area of the open ocean where the rate of primary productivity is very low is referred to as a(n):

A) atrophic zone.
B) eutrophic area.
C) oligotrophic area.
D) photic zone.
E) polytrophic area.

Question 29

The most abundant marine algae are members of the Division:

A) Bacillariophyta.
B) Chlorophyta.
C) Chrysophyta.
D) Phaeophyta.
E) Rhodophyta.

Question 30

Productivity in polar oceans is:

A) light-limited.
B) nutrient-limited.
C) oxygen-limited.
D) light and nutrient-limited.
E) nutrient and oxygen-limited.

Question 31

Harmful algal blooms (HABs):

A) are attributed to Vibriobacter cholerae.
B) are caused by diatoms and coccolithophorids.
C) do not affect coastal fisheries.
D) have decreased in frequency since 1992.
E) may produce toxins that affect human neurological functioning.

Question 32

Eutrophication is a type of pollution caused by increased:

A) concentration of hydrocarbons.
B) inorganic nutrient input.
C) primary productivity.
D) salinity.
E) water temperature.

Question 33

Marine flowering plants include all of the following except:

A) eel grass.
B) mangroves.
C) Spartina alterniflora.
D) shoal grass.
E) Ulva.

Question 34

The nutrients that tend to limit photosynthesis in marine environments include:

A) carbon dioxide.
B) nitrogen.
C) phosphorus.
D) A and B are correct.
E) B and C are correct.

Question 35

Many of the organisms responsible for toxic red tides and paralytic shellfish poisoning belong to the Division:

A) Bacillariophyta.
B) Chlorophyta.
C) Phaeophyta.
D) Pyrrophyta.
E) Rhodophyta.

Question 36

Net primary productivity is:

A) net gain in organic carbon.
B) photosynthesis minus cellular respiration.
C) total amount of photosynthesis.
D) A and B are correct.
E) A and C are correct.

Question 37

In temperate oceans during the winter months:

A) nutrient concentrations are high, solar input is low, and water temperatures decrease.
B) nutrient concentrations are high, solar input is high, and water temperatures decrease.
C) nutrient concentrations are high, solar input is high, and water temperatures increase.
D) nutrient concentrations are low, solar input is high, and water temperatures decrease.
E) nutrient concentrations are low, solar input is low, and water temperatures decrease.

Question 38

Energy flow in an ecosystem is:

A) bi-directional.
B) cyclic.
C) semi-conservative.
D) top down.
E) unidirectional.

Question 39

A symbiotic relationship in which one organism benefits and the other is unaffected is:

A) commensalism.
B) ectoparasitism.
C) endoparasitism.
D) mutualism.
E) predation.

Question 40

The percentage of biomass regularly recycled in the euphotic zone is about:

A) 1%.
B) 10%.
C) 30%.
D) 50%.
E) 90%.

Question 41

The maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is best defined as:

A) annual harvest that will balance natural mortality and predation.
B) largest catch that can be taken without overfishing.
C) largest catch that will cover the minimum cost of fishing.
D) maximum fishing effort allowed after overfishing occurs.
E) minimum catch that will still allow the population to increase.

Question 42

The percentage of euphotic zone biomass that reaches the deep ocean floor is approximately:

A) 1%.
B) 10%.
C) 30%.
D) 50%.
E) 90%.

Question 43

The relationship between cyanobacteria and fungi that results in a lichen is an example of:

A) commensalism.
B) ectoparasitism.
C) endoparasitism.
D) mutualism.
E) predation.

Question 44

If 10,000 KCAL of energy were contained in the primary producers, on average how many KCAL of energy would you expect to be transferred to third-order consumers?

A) 10,000 KCAL
B) 1000 KCAL
C) 100 KCAL
D) 10 KCAL
E) 1 KCAL

Question 45

The mass present at a given time of a population of fish is called its:

A) diversity.
B) fish stock.
C) maximum sustainable yield.
D) recruitment mass.
E) standing stock.

Question 46

Purse seines are nets that:

A) are allowed to drift at the surface.
B) are dragged along the bottom or through the water column.
C) float at the surface.
D) are placed along the bottom to trap passing fishes.
E) surround and trap fishes.

Question 47

Catches above the maximum sustainable yield:

A) can be increased to prevent overfishing.
B) produce decreased fishing effort.
C) result in increased populations of the target species.
D) result in overfishing.
E) result in underutilization of the target species.

Question 48

Productivity in tropical oceans is:

A) light-limited.
B) nutrient-limited.
C) oxygen-limited.
D) light and nutrient-limited.
E) nutrient and oxygen-limited.

Question 49

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A)decreased carbon dioxide concentration
B)high light levels
C)increased nitrogen concentration
D)increased phosphorus concentration
E)upwelling

Question 50

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A) Avicennia
B) Rhizophora
C) Sargassum
D) Spartina
E) Zostera

Question 51

Nutrient flow in an ecosystem is:

A) bi-directional.
B) cyclic.
C) semi-conservative.
D) top down.
E) unidirectional.

Question 52

The efficiency of trophic transfers in ecosystems is on average around:

A) 75%.
B) 50%.
C) 30%.
D) 10%.
E) 5%.

Question 53

All of the following are effective means of regulating fisheries except:

A) limiting the length of the fishing season.
B) limiting the size of the boat.
C) restricting the location of a legal catch.
D) setting catch limits.
E) setting gear limits.

Question 54

Which of the following pairs is an incorrect match between organisms and the type of symbiotic relationship they manifest?

A) coral-dinoflagellates: mutualism
B) fish-isopods: parasitism
C) grouper-cleaner wrasse: commensalism
D) shark-remora: commensalism
E) whale-barnacle: mutualism

Question 55

Identify the mismatched pair.

A) barnacles-whales
B) remora-shark
C) resurrection ferns-live oak trees
D) Spanish moss-live oak trees
E) zooxanthallae-coral

Question 56

The area of the ocean that produces the largest standing stock of commercial fish is in the:

A) coastal areas.
B) epipelagic zone.
C) mesopelagic zone.
D) tropical areas.
E) upwelling areas.

Question 57

The term by-catch refers to:

A) krill and other shellfish.
B) non-target species that are caught along with commercial species.
C) species caught as part of traditional fisheries.
D) species harvested for industrial purposes.
E) species raised in aquaculture settings.

Question 58

Describe how commercial fisheries are regulated in the United States.

Question 59

Discuss the feeding strategies employed by marine organisms including: suspension feeding (filter feeding), deposit feeding, and carnivorous feeding.

Question 60

Why do algal blooms frequently occur during spring and fall?

Question 61

How can overfishing of target species lead to significant changes in marine ecosystems?

Question 62

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A) bacteriovores
B) carnivores
C) detritivores
D) frugivores
E) herbivores

Question 63

Why are upwelling zones more productive than coastal oceans?

Question 64

List the major taxonomic groups of marine primary producers and give an example of each.

Question 65

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A) Anthophyta
B) Chlorophyta
C) Chrysophyta
D) Phaeophyta
E) Pyrrophyta

Question 66

Discuss the formation of the Gulf of Mexico dead zone. Why does this area form in the warmer months of the year?

Question 67

Distinguish between eutrophic and oligotrophic oceans. Where would you expect to find eutrophic areas in the ocean? Oligotrophic areas?

Question 68

Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern.

A)autotrophic
B)carnivorous feeding
C)deposit feeding
D)filter feeding
E)suspension feeding