Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Exploring Earth's Oceans
Exploring Earth's Oceans
34
Science
8th Grade
02/04/2011

Additional Science Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Abiotic Factor
Definition
the non-living factors of the environment that an organism lives in.
Term
Abyssal Plain
Definition
mostly flat portion of ocean floor which provides a home to a variety of unique organisms that are adapted to the extreme conditions of this habitat.
Term
Aphotic Zone
Definition
lowest layer of the ocean, where light does not reach.
Term
Benthos
Definition
organisms that live on or in the ocean floor.
Term
Biotic Factor
Definition
the living organisms of the environment.
Term
Consumer
Definition
feed on other organisms (plant or animal) because they cannot make their own food.
Term
Continental Shelf
Definition
extends from the edge of the continent outward to where the bottom sharply drops off into a steep slope.
Term
Continental Slope
Definition
The steep incline between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain.
Term
Decompression Chamber
Definition
a large portable container that divers can enter after they've surfaced to help their bodies return to normal atmospheric pressure
Term
Diatoms
Definition
Microscopic algae with plate-like structures composed of silica.
Term
Echo sounder
Definition
A device used to determine depth by sound waves.
Term
Ecosystem
Definition
A community of different but interdependent species and their non-living environment.
Term
Estuary
Definition
body of water where a river meets the ocean
Term
Fathom
Definition
A unit of measure for ocean depth. One fathom is 6 feet (1.83 meters).
Term
Food Chain
Definition
A hierarchy of food relationships from the simplest to most complex.
Term
Habitat
Definition
The immediate space where an animal or plant lives and has food, water and protection.
Term
Hydrothermal Vent
Definition
An opening in the sea floor where super-heated water and other material are discharged into the surrounding seawater.
Term
Intertidal Zone
Definition
the area that lies between the low-tide and the high-tide line.
Term
Mid-Ocean Ridge
Definition
A chain of undersea mountains that circles the earth through every ocean.
Term
Neritic Zone
Definition
the first 200 meters (656 feet) of ocean water, which includes the seashore and most of the continental shelf.
Term
Ocean trench
Definition
the deepest parts of the ocean. The deepest one is the Marianas Trench (located in the South Pacific Ocean - almost 5 miles (8.05 kilometers) deep.
Term
Oceanic Zone
Definition
Extends from 200 meters (656 feet) deep all the way down to the bottom of the ocean.
Term
Oceanography
Definition
The study and exploration of the world's ocean.
Term
Photic Zone
Definition
The top layer of the ocean where sunlight penetrates.
Term
Phytoplankton
Definition
The plant and algae component of the plankton; the primary producers of most ocean food webs.
Term
Producer
Definition
a living thing that produces its own food within itself, usually by using sunlight energy in photosynthesis
Term
ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle)
Definition
Unmanned submersible tethered to a mother ship and operated by pilots using a joy stick.
Term
Salinity
Definition
the amount of dissolved solids in seawater
Term
Scuba
Definition
Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus - device that allows divers to breathe underwater for long periods of time.
Term
Seamount
Definition
A volcanic peak that rises at least 3280 feet (1000 m) from the seafloor.
Term
SONAR
Definition
SOund NAvigation Ranging - used to measure ocean depth by sending sound to bounce off the ocean floor.
Term
Submersible
Definition
A small submarine used to explore the ocean depths; equipped with windows, lights, mechanical arms, cameras and other scientific instruments capable of seeing and recording data.
Term
Upwelling
Definition
the upward movement to the ocean surface of deeper, cold and usually nutrient-rich waters, especially along some shores, due to the offshore movement of surface waters
Term
Zooplankton
Definition
Animal component of the plankton that feed on phytoplankton and other zooplankton (primary consumers).
Supporting users have an ad free experience!