Kimmel,+C

Assignment 1 0 Points

__Assignment 2__ Observe the chart located below. Pick one organism from each of the four zones indicated in the chart and describe it's ability to live in the zone when taking into account the substrate, means of reproduction, feeding method, exposure to the air, defense mechanism, and the rise and lowering of the tide.
 * 1/31/11 - Due By February 5th**

__Low Tide Zone__
In the Low Tide Zone I choose the Sea cucumber. Sea cucumbers are almost always submerged under water because they are very sensitive to sunlight so the are not to often exposed to air as well. They often feed on microscopic organisims on the ocean floor since they can not get off the ground unless the tide pushes them. The tides also have an effect when they reproduce. They reproduce by releasing sperm and ova into the ocean water, they form together, and over time several small sea cucumbers begin to develop.

__﻿Middle Tide Zone__
In the Middle Tide zone I choose the Rock Weed. The Rock Weed is a plant that has a very short and simple life span in which the tides give the plants water and they grow over time and once they reach maturity produce small cell at the end of their branch and then that cell is planted and fertilized and grows into a rock weed over time. They are exposed to sunlight and air daily, and it helps them develop faster.

__High Tide Zone__ In the High Tide Zone I choose the Chiton. The Chiton are constantly exposed to air and sunlight, but they do have the ability to go under water. When they do they are usually there for a short period of time in order to eat. They typically feed at night on sea creatures on the ocean floor of the coast line. In reproduction The male Chiton releases it's sperm and a female or group of female Chiton will absorb the sperm cells. After a short period of time the female produces a larve and the larve develops into an adult Chiton.

__Spary Zone__
In the Spray Zone I choose the Rock Louse. The Rock Louse is a roach that lives on the shore in rocky sunlight areas. They feed on sea weed and any other debris from the ocean. They live for about three years and only reproduce with another mate once. They are rarely effected by the tides because they are so high up and have a hard exterior shell and a rocky surrounding for protection. 15 Points (C. Kimmel 2/4/11 11:50pm)

__Assignment 4 Blueworldtv The King of Crustaceans__ Posted 2/9/11 **Due by February 9th**

When it is cooked it is red.In the willed they are an olive color or grey.
 * 1. What color is an American lobster? Is it red in the wild? **

The fishers put notches on the right flipper to let other fishermen know that they are good breeders.
 * 2. How do lobster fishers make sure that the mature egg-laying females do not get caught? How does this improve the future viability of the species? **

3. What do most lobsters do when they approach a lobster trap underwater?  They walk around the trap and avoid it.

 4. What are the two claws of a lobster called and how are they different in design?  Their two claws are the Crusher and the Pincher. The pincher latches on to things the Crusher breaks things that enter it's claw.

 5. Internet research: what makes an American lobster different from a Spiny lobster? The Spiny lobster does not have any claws. 5 Points (C. Kimmel 2/8/11 1:53pm)

Assignment 3 - NOT COMPLETED BY DUE DATE Posted 2/7/11 Due by February 10th In which intertidal zone of a steeply sloping, coarse sand beach would you find each of the following organisms: clams, beach hoppers, ghost shrimp, sand crabs, and heart urchins? Include a picture of each of the five species and tell what type of adaptation (structural, behavioral, physiological) it shows and explain why it is that type. 0 Points

__Assignment 7__ Posted 3/4/11 **- Due by March 7th** ** Pick three of the following members of class Asteroidea: (Pillow star, Cushion star, Cake Sea star, Crown of Thorns, Bat star, Brisingid, Basket star, Shiny sun star). Provide a picture of each of the stars you opt for. In looking at the pictures, discuss some possible reasons for the vast differences in structure, habitat, feeding, reproduction, defense, color scheme and so forth. Research if you must but remember we are looking for possibilities. **

Shiny Sun Star

Crown of Thorns

Basket Star

3 Points - Pictures only

** __Assignment 5__ **  ** Posted 2/28/11 ** - **Due by March 1st**  ** Review the pictures posted below of the organisms. As impossible as it seems, all of the species below are found in the same order ( Decapoda). Without doing any research other than viewing the pictures, discuss three possible features which can account for these species being in the same order. **

 **Adult Pea Crab**

 **North Atlantic Lobster** 

 **Japanese Spider Crab** 

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px;"> **Prawn** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px;"> 0 POints

Assignment 6 Posted 2/18/11 due 2/22/10 Research the Blue crab. We discussed how one can tell the sex by the color of the claws, however it can also be done by looking at the apron. Provide four pictures of the aprons which identify the male crab, the "sally", the "sook", and the "sponge". Explain the difference function of the apron for the three types of females.

0 POints

Assignment 8 Read the linked article [|Meet menhaden.pdf]. Once you are done reading the article, answer the following questions.

1. Provide a picture of menhaden 2. Menhaden is a simple filter feeder, just like whales and herring. What makes menhaden different than those other filter feeders? They are tiny and only grow to about a foot at the most and they are herbivores. 3. Provide two reasons why Omega Protein is harvesting Menhaden? They are being used for fishmeal and poultry feed. 4. What does the name menhaden mean? What was the first use of this fish? Their name means fertilizer and that was what they were first used for by humans. 5. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars keeping the menhaden fishing industry functioning for menhaden oil, animal feed, and fertilizer. This has been wasted money and ecologically damaging because those three items have been replaced with what two substitiutes? They have been replaced with petroleum and soybean substitutes. 6. Describe the fishing technique used by OMega Protein. Why is this techniques successful? They send out fleets of ships and capture these fish in schools. How do they direct the ships? 7. Define "forage" fish. They are creatures that are main links in the food web. 8. What is the importance of the role of menhaden in the ocean? They filter the water so sunlight can shine deeper and give light to the plants deeper in the ocean. 9. Define Ocean Dead Zone. An area in the ocean where there is almost no sea life. A level concentrated with life that is very oxygen depleted. 10. What will happen if menhaden are eliminated from the ocean? The algae will not be filtered fast enough and that will poison parts of the ocean and kill sea life deeper down. 4.25 Points

Assignment 9 - Not Completed 0 Points

Assignment 10 - Not Completed 0 Points

__Assignment 11__ **Posted 4/8/11 due 4/11/11** Click on the following <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 100% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; padding-right: 10px;">[|website] and scroll over the dark black square at the top and locate the hatchet fish and answer questions 1 through 5. Return to the main page and scroll over the black square and locate the gulper eel. Click on it and answer questions 6 through 10. Return the the main page and locate the firefly squid. Click on it and answer questions 1. Provide a picture of the hatchetfish. 2. Define photophores. Light producing organs that run along the body of the fish. 3. Provide two **defensive** adaptations the hatchet fish exhibits to survive in the darkest parts of the ocean. 1.They have photophores that light up to let them see. 2. They're big eyes help them see. 4. What two roles do the photophores play for the hatchetfish. 1. Illuminate the area they are in. 2. Search for food. 5. Does the hatchet fish search for food below it or above it? Explain why. They search for food that is above them because their eyes point upward. 6. Provide a picture of the gulper eel.

7. How does the gulper eel use photophores to survive?: They use it to lure prey to them and capture it.

8. Why must it use the photophores?

It can not swim very well because it does not have any fins so it must lure in its prey to catch it. 9. Due to it's huge mouth, the gulper eel can consume prey the size of itself, which would really slow it down, how is this possibly a advantage to this fish? The big mouth would allow it to eat several little fish at once. 10. Explain one physiological adaptation gulper eels have that help their species continue to survive. Males reproduce pheromones that attracts female gulper eels. 11. Provide a picture of the firefly squid. 12. What two reasons firefly squids use their ability to make light? They can see in the darkness of the sea and it also signals other firefly squid.

13. Provide one physiological adaptation shown by the firefly squid and its believed purpose.: The lights on the squid are used to signal other squid about danger near by and other forms of communication through flashing lights.

5 Points __Assignment 12__ - Blueworldtv.com Episode 7 - Shark wreck Mystery **Posted 4/15/11 due 4/15/11**

1. Why do sharks sometimes lose teeth when they mate? The male shark bites into the female to hold on while mating. 2. What possible reasons might explain why the sharks seemed to be doing nothing when the divers were filming? They may be searching for food. 3. Why might the sharks have still done nothing when the remote cameras were operating? (hint: think about the senses of a shark, particularly the ampullae of Lorenzini) They may be less active at night when the remote cameras were on. 4. What might have affected the behavior of the sharks at night? They are in a resting period and are less active at night. 5. What makes the Sand Tiger shark teeth special? Their teeth are designed for ripping and shredding things. 5 Points

__Assignment 14__ - Blueworldtv.com Episode 6 **Posted 4/20/11 due 4/20/11**

1. What are Thresher sharks doing at the seamount? They are being cleaned by cleaner fish. 2. Why would a shark want to allow itself to be cleaned by a fish? What’s in it for the fish? The shark gets clean and the fish gets food. 3. Why did Jonathan use a rebreather insteadof normal scuba gear? It filers the bubbles to make him quieter under water. 4. Do the sharks feed at the seamount? No they just go to get cleaned. 5. Do manta rays feed at the seamount? How do the mantas feed? No they eat small organisms on the sea floor. 6. Describe a seamount. It is an underwater mountain than never reaches the surface. 7. What do biologists think Threshers do withtheir long tail? They use it as a whip to stun prey. 7 Points

__Assignment 16__ **Posted 5/4/11** 1. How do the sharks react to the divers in the water? Do they see them as a threat? A competitor for food? They swim to them than get board and swim away. 2. Do sharks attack each other in competition for food? What is a “feeding frenzy?” The sharks do not attack each other they just push each other around. A feeding frenzy is when several sharks huddle around food to eat. 3. In your opinion, did the sharks exhibit a “feeding frenzy?” Not really the just nudged each other to get at the food. 4. What happened after all the food was gone? They just swam away. 5. Why do the shark lose teeth? Is it a bad thing? They are aggressive when they are feeding but this is not a bad thing because they have thousands of teeth. 6. Internet research: what makes Gray reef sharks somewhat unique in how they hunt? They typically hunt for food in the same area all the time. 6 Points __Assignment 17__ Posted 5/6/11 1. What six senses do sharks have? <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">1. touch <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 2. taste <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 3. smell <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 4. sight <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 5. hearing <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 6. distant touch (electronic pulses can sense movement in the water)

2. Discuss how each of the shark’s six senses function in their search for prey. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;">1. touch- to feel around the environment. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 2. taste- to eat the prey. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 3. smell- to sense the prey near by. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 4. sight- to see the prey in the water. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 5. hearing- to hear noise from the prey. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal;"> 6. distant touch- to sense where their prey are generally located at a distance.

3. Different species of sharks have unique attributes that allow them to survive in their specific habitat. Explain the usefulness of some (5) of the adaptations. Characteristics to consider are the shark’s eyes, teeth, diet, body patterns, and tails 1. Sharks have eyes on the side of their head so they can have a wider view of their surrounding. 2. Sharks have thousand of teeth that face into their jaw so prey can slide in easily but get torn up if they try to escape. 3. Sharks feed on squid, fish, and most other large sea creators like whales. 4. Sharks have a narrow aerodynamic body. 5. Shark tails wave side to side to propel them through the water and for tighter turning. 10 Points __Assignment 18 - Blueworldtv.com "Swimming with Jaws"__

1. How do Great White sharks attack seals and sea lions? They attack their prey from below and surprise attack them. 2. How do the sharks react to divers? They glance at them for a little but ignore them when they realize they are not food. 3. Do Great White sharks seem aggressive towards people? No they just ignore people in the water when they realize they are not a threat. 4. How many shark attacks are there in an average year? (Check the internet for some stats). How many sharks are killed by people? Which species is more dangerous? Their are about 50 to 75 shark attacks each year. Over 100,000,000 shark are killed each year. The Tigris Shark is the most aggressive shark in the ocean. 5. What is one of the common theories on why Great Whites sometimes accidentally bite humans? (involves outside research). Humans may flail around in water which may get the attention of the shark and it may bite humans to check if they are food. 6. How do researchers tell Great White sharks apart at Guadalupe Island? The sharks are marked with scars and have unique coloration. 7. Do Great Whites attack their prey from below or from the same level? Why? They attack their prey from below to sneak attack them and expel less energy trying to catch them. 7 Points


 * __Assignment 19 - A Float in the Ocean, Expanding Islands of Trash__**


 * __Posted 5/23/11__**

1. What are some synonyms for the word gyre? How does plastic and trash accumulate in gyres? Gyre also means ring, circle, or spiral. The ocean current pushes trash into gyres in random spots all over the ocean.

2. According to the article, “scientists speculate that toxic chemicals are leaching into fish tissue from the plastic they eat.” What does the word speculate tell you about this claim? It means that they believe that this is true and there is some proof behind it but it has not conclusion yet.

3. Why do scientists think this is true and what further studies need to be conducted? They have a lot of proof to back this theory and I believe that there is enough proof to conclude that this is true because of the garbage thrown in the ocean.

4. How do PCBs, DDT and other toxic chemicals accumulate in the tissues of organisms and predators in a food chain? The chemicals enter the ocean and sea creatures absorb the chemicals in the water.

5. What, if anything, should be done about the garbage patch? Why? Honestly no one can really do anything about it. Even if we were to clean up the garbage patch it would just come back with in a few day and there is nothing we can do. maybe if more of our boxes and bottles were biodegradable it would not be an issue but unfortunately it is and it will be for a long time. Stop the problem on the land. 8 Points Assignment 20 - Mearns Rock Posted 5/31/11 1. Create a graph showing how the barnacles, mussels, and fucus were affected by the exxon valdez oil spill. No title on graph no label on vertical axis 2. Create a data table showing your estimated data. 3. Has Prince William Sound recovered from the oil spill? Your opinion, that of a fisherman from Kodiak, a villager from valdez, an engineer from exxon, and a NOAA biologist. Fisherman- The ocean is still filled with the toxic oil. It is killing and poisoning the fish making them unable to be eaten by humans, and they are having a tough time reproducing. The area does not seem like it is going to recover anytime soon. Villager- The area around our village is still picking up sludge and it is not just effecting sea life, but is hurt animals on land as well. Most of the animals effected are birds that feed from the ocean. It does not seem like things are going to get any better soon. Engineer- The ocean is still recovering from the spill a few years ago. We are putting in our best effort to clean the ocean and save any wild life that continue to get negatively effected by the spill. I understand that it looks bad now but we have been through the worst and things will turn up soon. NOAA- It is impossible to remove all the oil from the ocean, however the amount still in there after over 20 years is just to much. Exxon Valdez needs to put a better foot forward in clearing the oil because a spill in the ocean can hurt all parts of the environment and I don't think it will be recoverd for a long time. 4. How did the Exxon Valdez Oil spill affect the abundance of life on Mearns Rock? It wiped out all life in 1989 and then it wildly fluctuated for the next 20 years. 18 Points __Assignment 10__

1. Provide a picture of a squid.

2. Describe the propulsion method of a squid. They move through jet propulsion. The draw water through the mantle and siphon to propel themselves. The water then is expelled through the back end.

3. Look a picture of a snail, clam, and a squid. Provide at least one sound reason on why they can possibly be in the same class. They have muscular feet that aid them in moving. Soft Body

4. Discuss four means of defense the squid possess and how they can be considered a means of defense. 1. They can change color and camouflage. 2. They can shoot ink to distract predators. 3. They can move fast through the water. Change direction quickly by relocating their siphon 4. They have eyes on both sides of their head to see predators.

5. What advantage if any does traveling in a shoal have for squid? They can reproduce at a faster rate, which is good because they have a short life span. Gives them a variety of mates to expand the gene pool

6. Discuss the hectocotyl? They are arms on the male squid that are used to fertilize sperm into another female squid.

7. What advantage is there to a female squid laying eggs in a packet next to another females? They leave their young once they lay the eggs and they have a better chance of surviving in a bigger group than a smaller one. Turned in Late (6/3/11) 5.75 Points

Assignment 13 Go to the website provided and read the information provided there. Take special note of the graphs provided as well. Once you are done reading the information, answer the following questions.

1. What is possible for the large difference in attack between surfers, swimmers, divers, and kayakers? The more activity that goes on in water the more likely they are to attack one of these groups of people. 2. Why do you think there is such a large difference in attackers between swimmers and kayakers when the both exhibit roughly the same shape? Swimmers flail around and make themselves noticeable while kayakers are protected by their boat and cause less attention. 3. What three months account for a majority of the shark attacks? August, September, and October. 4. What possible reasons can be given for the high attacks in these three months? During this time there are a lot of people swimming and a lot of food for the sharks along the coastline, other than humans. Sharks may mistake those humans for food. 5. Explain why or why not time of day plays a factor in when sharks attack. More sharks are around during the day along with other people who swim which can increase the chance of a shark attack. 6. Do some research on abalone and explain how they are hunted and where they live. Abalone's are primarily found in the Pacific Ocean and are mostly captured for their pretty shells, but they are used as food sometimes. 7. Why do most shark attacks on people who are gathering marine organisms usually occur on those who are hunting abalone? They spend a lot of time in the water trying to catch the abalone which make the sharks more suspicious of the people and gives them more time to plan. 8. Why do you think that White sharks account for such a large majority of shark attacks? They typically swim near shallow water where humans are swimming around. 8 Points