Valentin,+E

__Assignment 1__ How does the diversity of species on sediment covered shores compare with that of the rocky shore? Suggest at least one reason why this occurs.
 * 1/20/11 - Due By January 24th**

The diversity of species on sediment covered shores differ when compared with rocky shores because of the way the shore is made and the way they were created. Sediment covered shores were formed by glaciers during the ice age, which made the shores very soft from the sediment that the glaciers scrapped off. Rocky shores form as a resulf of marine erosion, due to the combination of rising sea level and wave action. Sediment covered shores are in an area with a passive margin, which will allow it to remain the same and rocky covered shores are in an area with an active margin, which will constantly be changing in a rocky form. Each shore has a diverse variety of species based on the way that the species evolved to help them live on these two different shore types. The species that are found on sediment covered shores differ from that of the species that are found on rocky shores because of the way they evolved. Some species that are found on sediment covered shores have the ability to bury themselves in the sand. For example, sand crabs spend most of their day buried in the sand moving up and down the sand based on the tides. As opposed to the species that live in the sediment covered shores, species that live in rocky shores don't have the luxury of buring themselves in the sand. Most species that live in rocky shores have hard shells to protect them from the rocks. For example, mussels have hard shells to protect them from the tides that bring them back and forth along the rocks, but they also have abyssal threads to help keep them attached to rocks so they're not taken too far out. The diversity of species on sediment covered shores differ from the species found in rocky shores because of the way they evolved to fit the environment that was carved out for them, whether it be the glaciers that formed the east coast or the marine erosion that formed the west coast. (10 Points) (Valentin, E. 10/25/11 7:32 p.m.)

__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**


 * Spray Zone-** An organism that lives in the spray zone is the rock louse. The rock louse live in areas with rocky shores, usually within rock crevices, but you can also find them under algae in the high tide zone during high tides. The rock louse must keep its gills moist, but will drown if it's forced to stay underwater. At night and during low tides, the rock louse will scavenge throughout the intertidal zone for food. The rock louse will also feed on microscopic algae. During the day, the rock louse will hide in crevices or under stones just above the high tide line. If faced by a predator, the rock louse will run and try to hide between the crevices in the rocks. The rock louse is ovigerous.

**High Tide Zone-**An organism that lives in the high tide zone is the limpet. Limpets are distinctive animals that are known for their ability to cling onto rocks. Limpets have a strong muscular foot that can grab small cracks in a rocks surface and grasp very strongly. Limpets cannot withdraw into their shell, so it is very important to it's survival that it cannot be dislodged easily from where it is clinging. When the tide is high, the limpets move around, grazing on algae. As the tide drops, the limpet usually returns to its resting place. To reproduce, the limpet male and female release the egg and the sperm into the water and after several days the larvae will appear.

**Middle Tide Zone-**An organism that lives in the middle tide zone is the chiton. Chitons live on hard sufaces, such as on or under rocks, or in rock crevices. Chitons have a dorsal shell which is composed of eight separate shell plates or valves. The plates provide very good protection, but it also allows the chiton to flex upward when needed for locomotion. Chiton exhibit homing behaviors, which allows them to journey to feed and then returning to the exact unique spot they previously inhabited. To reproduce, the male and the female chitons release their sperm and eggs into the water. Chitons are omnivores.

**Low Tide Zone-**An organism that lives in the low tide zone is the sea cucumber. To protect itself the sea cucumber squeezes through a small gap. To keep itself safe in these crevices and cracks, the sea cucumber hooks up all its collagen fibers to make its body firm again. It can also release their sticky cuvierian tubules to entangle potential predators. Sea cucumbers are generally scavengers. They feed on plankton and decaying organic matter. Sea cucumbers extract oxygen from water in a pair of respiratory trees. The water goes through the anus and then the sea cucumber expels it. To reproduce, the sea cucumber releases sperm and ova into the ocean water. 15 Points (Valentin, E. 2/8/11 8:20 p.m.)

__Assignment 3__ 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.- Clams-They live in the low tide zone. Clams have structural adaptation. The structural adaptation of the clam is the shell, that protects the soft inside from predators and also stops the clam from drying out. Beach Hoppers-They live in the high tide zone. Beach hoppers have a behavioral adaptation. The behavioral adaptation of the beach hopper is its ability to burrow itself, which it does to protect itself from predators and from the heat. Ghost Shrimp-They live in the middle tidal zone. Ghost shrimp have both behavioral and structural adaptations. The behavioral adaptation of the ghost shrimp is that it has the ability to burrow itself, which helps keep it from the heat and predators. The structural adaptation of the ghost shrimp is that it has a hard exoskeleton, which helps protect it from predators. Sand Crabs-They live in the high intertidal zone. Sand crabs have both behavioral and structural adaptations. The behavioral adaptation of the sand crab is that it has the ability to burrow itself, which helps keep it from predators and heat. The structural adaptation of the sand crab is that it has a color on its exoskeleton that gives it the ability to hide from predators without having to bury itself. Heart Urchins-They live in the low intertidal zone. Heart urchins have both structural and physiological adaptations. Excellent job in pointing out both. The structural adaptation of the heart urchin is that it has spines, which gives it the ability to move and it also protects it from predators. The physiological adaptation of the heart urchin is that it has the ability to line where its buried at with mucus. 20 Points (Valentin, E. 2/15/11 8:36 am)

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

An American lobster is red when it is cooked. No, it is a green, olive and orange mix in the wild. One in every three million are blue.
 * 1. What color is an American lobster? Is it red in the wild? **

Fishers check the lobsters when they bring the cage in and if the lobster has a notch in its tail the fishers will let them go. This improves the future viability of the species because the notch indicates that the lobster is a prolific egg-layer and since the lobster is thrown back in the ocean it is able to reproduce.
 * 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? **

They walk right pass the trap.
 * 3. What do most lobsters do when they approach a lobster trap underwater? **

The two claws of a lobster are called the pincher and the crusher. They are different in design because the crusher is larger then the pincher.
 * 4. What are the two claws of a lobster called and how are they different in design? **

An American lobster is different from a spiny lobster because a spiny lobster is a clawless, freshwater lobster that has an orange color and an American lobster is found in the ocean, has claws and has a green, olive and orange color mix. 5 Points (Valentin, E. 2/9/11 2:00 pm)
 * 5. Internet research: what makes an American lobster different from a Spiny lobster? **


 * __Assignment 5__ **
 * Posted 3/2/11 ** - **Due by March 3rd**
 * 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[[image:dimesand.jpg width="399" height="329" caption="dimesand.jpg"]]**


 * North Atlantic Lobster**


 * Japanese Spider Crab**

The pea crab, north atlantic lobster, japanese spider crab and praw are all in the class decapoda because of the 10 appendages, the segmented bodies and the exoskeleton. 3 Points (Valentin, E. 3/1/11 12:35pm)
 * Prawn**

Jake-Male Sook-Mature Female She Crab-Immature Female Sponge-Pregnant Female Each one of the three females have a different functions for each of their apron. The immature blue crab's apron is sealed tightly to the body because it cannot mate or carry eggs. The mature blue crab's apron can freely open because it has to mate and carry eggs. The pregnant blue crab's apron is there to hold the eggs, or sponge, until they are ready to be released. 7 Point s (Valentin, E. 2/19/11 1:05 pm)
 * __Assignment 6__ **
 * Posted 2/18/11 due 2/22/11**
 * 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. **

__Assignment 7__ Posted 3/4/11 **- Due by February 24th**
 * 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. **
 * The brisingid starfish lives in very deep waters. This starfish has many legs with either hair or thorns attached to each of their legs. These hairs or thorns could be used for either protection from predators if there thorns or for trapping small edible particles. The color of the brisingid starfish could be used to warn other organisms that it is poisonous to eat. **
 * The crown-of-thorns starfish live on coral reefs. This starfish has many legs with sharp poisonous thorns attached to it. These thorns are used for protection against predators. The color of the crown-of-thorns starfish may be to warn other organisms that it is a poisonous organism and if eaten you will die. This particular species of starfish feed on coral reef polyps. **
 * The basket sea star generally live in deep sea habitats. This starfish has many legs, which usually appear to look like branches. This shape of the legs could be used to blend in with deep sea plants. The color of these starfish could be specific for the type of sea plant it blends in with. For the starfish above, it has a tan color to blend in with what it's attached to. **


 * (Valentin, E. 3/8/11 12:28) **

10 Points

__Assignment 8 Menhaden__ 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 different because they filter up to almost 4 gallons of water every minute. 3. Provide two reasons why Omega Protein is harvesting Menhaden? 4. What does the name menhaden mean? What was the first use of this fish? 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? 6. Describe the fishing technique used by OMega Protein. Why is this techniques successful? 7. Define "forage" fish. 8. What is the importance of the role of menhaden in the ocean? 9. Define Ocean Dead Zone. 10. What will happen if menhaden are eliminated from the ocean?
 * Posted 3/21/11 due 3/22/11**

1.

2.They are different because they filter up to almost 4 gallons of water every minute. And are the only herbivore. 3. They are harvesting them for fishmeal, and poultry feed. 4. Menhaden means "fertilizer." The Native Americans first use to bury them below the corn that they planted. 5. They have been replaced with much cheaper petroleum and soybean substitutes. 6.More than 30 Omega spotter planes direct a fleet of 61 ships to where the menhaden swim close to the surface. It is so successful, because they are fishing at the two places where the population of the fish is high, and they catch them as soon as they come up to the surface, and they come up in very large groups. 7.Forage fish are small fish preyed on by larger predators for food. Basis of the food chain. 8.They keep the ocean clean. Consume the phytoplankton allowing the sun light to get through and reach the aquatic plants allowing the oxygen levels to increase. 9.Ocean Dead zone is an area of water that cannot support marine life with a lack of oxygen due to the presence of nitrates that stimulate algae growth. 10.Well seeing that they are the main food source of the entire food web in the ocean, and the main species keeping the ecosystem healthy by cleaning the water of excess algae. It would be significantly hurtful to the ocean if they were eliminated.

(Valentin, E. 3/23/11 2:00) 4 Points

** __Assignment 9__ ** **Posted 3/22/11 due 3/24/11** ** Provide a picture of the Thresher shark, Cookie cutter shark, Chain Catshark, Greenland shark, and the Porbeagle shark. Under each picture, include the name of each shark, an identifiable feature of each shark, one very unique feature of each of the sharks. (Hint: all unique features should somehow be tied to feeding). ** ** ﻿ ** Chain Catshark- The identifiable feature for this shark is the pattern on the skin. The unique feature of this shark is the way it lays on the ocean floor and camouflage itself, while it waits for pray. Cookie cutter shark- The identifiable feature for this shark is the shape of the body, which is like a cigar. The unique feature of this shark is the way it attaches itself to its prey and then twists its body around to get a piece of the prey. Greenland shark-The identifiable feature for this shark is how large it is and how closely it comes in size to the great white. The unique feature of this shark is its keen sense of smell and how it uses it at night to find prey. Thresher Shark- The identifiable feature for this shark is the large top part of the caudal fin. The unique feature of this shark is the way it uses its tail to stun its prey before it feeds on it. Porbeagle Shark-The identifiable feature for this shark is its very stout-body with a spindle-like shape. The unique feature of this shark is the way it chases down its prey to get it. 7.5 Points (Valentin, E. 3/23/11 4:30)

__Assignment 10__  **Posted 4/4/11 due 4/5/11**  They expel water through mantle and then through the siphon which then propels them when the water is expelled through the back of them.  **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 could be put in the same class because of the fact that there head is there foot, which is what cephalopoda means.  1. Mantle changes color for camouflage which can help hide from predators  2. Expel ink which helps escape predators  3. Position of the eyes which helps see predators  4. Propulsion which helps move swiftly through the water Better chance to reproduce. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Arm that has smaller suction cups than the other ones. In males, used for reproduction. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">When the squid comes out of the eggs the better chance of survival they have since there are so many of them together. If they come out together and a predator is there, the predator can only get so many of them without letting some escape. 8 POints <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">(Valentin, E. 4/5/11 8:45)
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Provide a picture of a squid. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Describe the propulsion method of a squid. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 4. Discuss four means of defense the squid possess and how they can be considered a means of defense. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 5. What advantage if any does traveling in a shoal have for squid? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 6. Discuss the hectocotyl? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 7. What advantage is there to a female squid laying eggs in a packet next to another females? **

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">__Assignment 11__ <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Posted 4/8/11 due 4/11/11** <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> Click on the following [|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 <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">A photophore is a light-emitting organ which appears as luminous spots on various marine animals, including fish and cephalopods. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The photophores point downward to hide from predators and they way the colors are, which could be used to camouflage itself. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Used to hide from predators because of the way the photophores are positioned and they could be used for courtship. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The hatchetfish has large, tubular eyes pointing upward, which helps it search for for above it. The eyes are very sensitive to light, which helps it distinguish shadows of falling food from the faint illumination from above. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">It flashes the photophores from its tail different colors to attract prey to its giant mouth. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The body of the eel is not built for chasing prey, so it must use the photophores to catch its prey. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The advantage of the gulper eel being able to consume prey the size of itself is that food is very limited in the deep sea, so with the consumption of large prey, it allows the eel to survive a long period of time without having to eat again. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">As the male gulper eel matures, the olfactory organs grow, which is responsible for the sense of smell. The female on the other hand remains unchanged as they mature. The male uses this sense of smell to locate their mate through pheroformes the females release. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Firefly squids use their ability to make light to confuse predators and to communicate with other firefly squids. <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">The firefly squid has color vision, this gives them the ability to understand patterns of flashing lights of other squids. 13 Points <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">(Valentin, E. 4/12/11 7:40)
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 1. Provide a picture of the hatchetfish. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 2. Define photophores. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 3. Provide two defensive adaptations the hatchet fish exhibits to survive in the darkest parts of the ocean. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 4. What two roles do the photophores play for the hatchetfish. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 5. Does the hatchet fish search for food below it or above it? Explain why. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 6. Provide a picture of the gulper eel. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 7. How does the gulper eel use photophores to survive? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 8. Why must it use the photophores? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 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? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 10. Explain one physiological adaptation gulper eels have that help their species continue to survive. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">11. Provide a picture of the firefly squid. **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">12. What two reasons firefly squids use their ability to make light? **
 * <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> 13. Provide one physiological adaptation shown by the firefly squid and its believed purpose. **

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

Because the male bites onto the female to hold on while mating. They could have possibly been searching for something, such as a mate. They still sensed the electric fields omitted from the cameras. The light from the cameras probably affected the behavior of the shark. They are not used for ripping or shredding, but for grasping. 5 Points (Valentin, E. 4/18/11 12:05)
 * 1. Why do sharks sometimes lose teeth when they mate?**
 * 2. What possible reasons might explain whythe sharks seemed to be doing nothing whenthe divers were filming?**
 * 3. Why might the sharks have still donenothing when the remote cameras wereoperating? (hint: think about the sensesof a shark, particularly the ampullae ofLorenzini)**
 * 4. What might have affected the behavior ofthe sharks at night?**
 * 5. What makes the Sand Tiger shark teeth special?**


 * __Assignment 13__ **
 * Posted**
 * 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. **

Each group does different things, such as the way they move in the water, which leads to differences in the amount of attacks because of the sounds they make. The sound that the swimmers make is different compared to that of the kayakers. The swimmers make more of a commotion in the water because the way they are constantly moving their arms and leg. Kayakers on the other hand don't make as much of a commotion because its just the steady sound of the kayak moving through the water and the paddle. August, September and October account for the majority of shark attacks. The ocean is the warmest these three months and the sharks are more active in the warm waters. More attacks happen during the daylight hours because of the fact that there are more people in the water doing numerous things, which leads to more shark attacks. The abalone is found on the ocean floor and a diver must go down to detach it from the rocks it is attached to. Live at edge of drop offs and kelp beds. It is a long process in gathering marine organisms, such as abalone. The sharks have more time in attacking people since there is a long process in gathering marine organisms. The white sharks are some of the most aggressive and most sensitive to the presence of humans. 8 Points (Valentin, E. 4/20/11 12:20)
 * 1. What is possible for the large difference in attack between surfers, swimmers, divers, and kayakers?**
 * 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?**
 * 3. What three months account for a majority of the shark attacks?**
 * 4. What possible reasons can be given for the high attacks in these three months?**
 * 5. Explain why or why not time of day plays a factor in when sharks attack.**
 * 6. Do some research on abalone and explain how they are hunted and where they live.**
 * 7. Why do most shark attacks on people who are gathering marine organisms usually occur on those who are hunting abalone?**
 * 8. Why do you think that White sharks account for such a large majority of shark attacks?**

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

They are being cleaned by a cleaner fish.
 * 1. What are Thresher sharks doing at the seamount?**
 * 2. Why would a shark want to allow itself to be cleaned by a fish? What’s in it for the fish?**

It cleans the parasites and dead skin from it, which helps it. The fish gets a free meal from doing this.
 * 3. Why did Jonathan use a rebreather insteadof normal scuba gear?**

Because it recycles part of his exhaled breathe, so that it does not produce as much bubbles, so he does not scare the sharks away.
 * 4. Do the sharks feed at the seamount?**

No.
 * 5. Do manta rays feed at the seamount? How do the mantas feed?**

Yes, but it's because it basically feeds all the time. It sucks plankton in its mouth and filters it out in the gills. It is a filter feeder.
 * 6. Describe a seamount.**

Underwater mountain that doesn't reach the surface. They think that they use it as a whip to stun their pray. 7 Points (Valentin, E. 4/20/11 1:54)
 * 7. What do biologists think Threshers do with their long tail?**

__Assignment 15__ - Shark Vocabulary = **Head** = 1. Rostrtum 2. Nares 3. Jaws 4. Eyes 5. Spiracles 6. Gill Slits 7. Endolymphatic Pores
 * Posted 4/20/11 Due - Upon completion of the shark dissection. This is an ongoing assignment as there will be close to 70 words to identify.**

= **Fins** =

8. Dorsal Fins 9. Caudal Fin 10. Pectoral Fins 11. Pelvic Fins 12. Cloaca 13. Claspers

__Assignment 16 - Blueworldtv.com "Shark feeding frenzies"__ They go to investigate it. They do not see them as a threat or a competitor for food. No sharks do not attack each other in competition for food. A feeding frenzy is when sharks bit or hit each other for food. No, the sharks did not exhibit a feeding frenzy. Occasionally, the sharks would bump into each other, but not on purpose. After the food was all gone, the sharks began to just swim around like they were before the food was put there. Sharks lose teeth because they are not attached to the jaw. It is not a bad thing because they have many rows of teeth. They hunt at night in coral reefs. They corner their pray up against the walls of the coral reefs. 6 Points (Valentin, E. 5/10/11 3:50)
 * 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?**
 * 2. Do sharks attack each other in competition for food? What is a “feeding frenzy?”**
 * 3. In your opinion, did the sharks exhibit a “feeding frenzy?”**
 * 4. What happened after all the food was gone?**
 * 5. Why do the shark lose teeth? Is it a bad thing?**
 * 6. Internet research: what makes Gray reef sharks somewhat unique in how they hunt?**

__Assignment 17__ Posted 5/6/11 The five that humans have and electroreception. Smell-Able to smell prey hundreds of yards away. Taste-Some sharks will eat anything, but others grow accustom to a certain taste, which affects their search for prey. Touch-With the lateral line, the sharks are able to feel the vibrations of their prey. Vision-Sharks can see their prey from 70-100 feet away. Hearing-Sharks can hear sounds of their prey from .6 miles away. Electroreception-Able to sense electric fields given off by prey. Certain adaptations are useful for certain sharks depending on the environment they live in. The shape of the teeth helps the sharks get their prey, sharks who feed on mollusks have flat for crushing and sharks who feed on fish have, sharp teeth. The diet of the shark helps them survive in certain areas. The shape of the tail of the shark allows it to either swim faster or even hit their prey to stun them. The body patterns of the sharks allow some sharks to blend in with their environment, which allows them to hunt prey more successfully. The shark's eyes allow them to see there prey in certain areas, such as below them or from a distance. All of these adaptations allow the sharks to be better predators. 10 Points (Valentin, E. 5/10/11 4:10)
 * 1. What six senses do sharks have?**
 * 2. Discuss how each of the shark’s six senses function in their search for prey.**
 * 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.**

__Assignment 18 - Blueworldtv.com "Swimming with Jaws"__

They usually have a swift, surprise attack from below inflicting one fatal bite that usually kills the seal and sea lion.
 * 1. How do Great White sharks attack seals and sea lions?**
 * 2. How do the sharks react to divers?**

They ignore them because they are more interested in the chunks of food.
 * 3. Do Great White sharks seem aggressive towards people?**

No, they do not seem aggressive towards people.
 * 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?**

There are about 50-70 shark attacks every year. About 100 million sharks are killed a year by people. The tiger shark is the most dangerous species of shark.
 * 5. What is one of the common theories on why Great Whites sometimes accidentally bite humans? (involves outside research).**

Most humans that are attacked are on surfboards or boogieboards. When a human is lying on a surfboard or boogieboard, the Great White confuses the human with a sea lion or a sea turtle.
 * 6. How do researchers tell Great White sharks apart at Guadalupe Island?**

They tell them apart by the coloration on the shark, distinguishing marks, such as a white strike across the nose and a scar on the side and patterns on the shark. Great Whites attack their prey from below because they want to surprise the prey when they attack them. 7 Points (Valentin, E. 5/17/11 2:05)
 * 7. Do Great Whites attack their prey from below or from the same level? Why?**

Coil, curl, curlicue, ringlet, roll, scroll, spiral and whorl. Plastic and trash accumulate in gyres because of the way that the wind and the currents flow, which keeps the garbage accumulating in the same place. The word "speculate" tells me that, although there could have been some research done, it has not been proven yet and there is no actual evidence that supports the claim. Scientists think that this is true because they use biomagnification to do so. The scientists need to study how this affects the organisms in the marine environment and how they will in turn affect the humans that are consuming it. The chemicals get into the water and is then absorbed into the plastic. The planketon, then ingests some of the tiny plastic particles. After that the fish then ingest the planketon, a larger fish will ingest it. It will continue up the food chain until it reaches humans. The only way to maintain the garbage patch is by stopping the problem where it starts. If you can limit the trash coming into the ocean for enough time to clean up the garbage patch, then there is a good chance that it could be cleaned up and stopped from happening. (Valentin, E. 6/3/11 12:57) 10 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?**
 * 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?**
 * 3. Why do scientists think this is true and what further studies need to be conducted?**
 * 5. What, if anything, should be done about the garbage patch? Why?**

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.

2. Create a data table showing your estimated data. Year Fucus Mussels Barnacles 1989 0 0 0 1990 50 10 5 1991 40 25 10 1992 5 25 15 1993 5 35 30 1994 0 45 0 1995 10 15 0 1996 15 0 20 1997 50 15 0 1998 40 15 0 1999 30 30 0 2000 35 0 5 2001 25 0 15 2002 25 0 35 2003 15 0 15 2004 35 0 5 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. I really don't think that the Prince William Sound has recovered from the oil spill. Although the numbers of the organisms are close to being where they were prior to the oil spill, a lot of the organisms are unhealthy. On the contrary, the fisherman think that it has recovered from the oil spill because many of the fish species have come back and new ones have appeared. The villager might say the same thing as the fisherman. The engineer from exxon is going to say that everything has recovered just to make themselves look better. The NOAA biologist will say that there are some lingering affects because many of the species of fish have not come back. 4. How did the Exxon Valdez Oil spill affect the abundance of life on Mearns Rock? The fucus died off for sometime and then the mussels became more abundant. The barnacles remained pretty much the same throughout the entire 15 years. The fucus eventually came back and the mussels went away. In the middle years the fucus disappeared and the other two organisms thrived. In the end, everything turned back to normal. 20 Points (Valentin, E. 6/3/11 2:00)