Marine Biology Words

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Instructions: Dive into the vocabulary of marine biology, from coral reefs and deep-sea creatures to ocean currents and aquatic ecosystems.

1.
What is 'plankton'?
A
Sand found on the ocean floor
B
Large fish that swim in deep water
C
A type of seaweed
D
Tiny organisms that drift in water and form the base of aquatic food chains
2.
What does 'bioluminescence' mean?
A
The production and emission of light by a living organism
B
The color of coral reefs
C
The ability to swim at great depths
D
The reflection of sunlight on water
3.
What is the 'pelagic zone'?
A
The area where rivers meet the sea
B
A shallow tide pool
C
The ocean floor
D
The open water column of the ocean, away from the bottom and shore
4.
What is an 'estuary'?
A
A deep ocean trench
B
A volcanic island
C
A frozen sea
D
A partially enclosed body of water where freshwater and saltwater mix
5.
What does 'benthic' refer to?
A
Floating on the surface
B
Swimming in open water
C
Living near the shore
D
Relating to the bottom of a body of water
6.
What is a 'coral polyp'?
A
A type of fish
B
A type of seashell
C
A tiny marine animal that secretes calcium carbonate to form coral reefs
D
A parasitic worm
7.
What does 'salinity' measure in marine science?
A
The temperature of the water
B
The depth of the ocean
C
The concentration of dissolved salts in water
D
The speed of ocean currents
8.
What is 'algae bloom'?
A
A deep-sea volcanic eruption
B
A rapid increase in the population of algae in a water system
C
A type of underwater flower
D
The growth of barnacles on ships
9.
What is the 'photic zone'?
A
The upper layer of water where sunlight penetrates enough for photosynthesis
B
The deepest part of the ocean
C
The region under sea ice
D
The area near underwater volcanoes
10.
What does 'anadromous' mean?
A
Living only in saltwater
B
Feeding on plankton
C
Living only in deep water
D
Describing fish that migrate from the sea to freshwater to spawn, like salmon
11.
What is a 'cetacean'?
A
A type of shellfish
B
A marine mammal such as a whale, dolphin, or porpoise
C
A deep-sea fish
D
A type of sea turtle
12.
What is 'ocean acidification'?
A
The pollution of oceans with plastic
B
The decrease in ocean pH caused by absorption of excess carbon dioxide
C
The increase of salt in the ocean
D
The warming of ocean waters
13.
What is a 'thermocline'?
A
The surface temperature of the ocean
B
A volcanic vent on the ocean floor
C
A layer of water where temperature changes rapidly with depth
D
A warm ocean current
14.
What does 'symbiotic' mean in the context of marine life?
A
Migrating long distances
B
Two different organisms living in close association, often to mutual benefit
C
Living alone in deep water
D
Feeding only on plants
15.
What is the 'abyssal plain'?
A
A sandy beach formed by erosion
B
A shallow coastal area
C
A coral reef formation
D
The flat, deep ocean floor typically found at depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters

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