STUDENT VOLUNTEER CLASS

Oceans and Wetlands Biome Quiz

Name: Date:________________________

Multiple Choice: Please answer the following multiple choice questions by circling the letter of the correct answer. Remember, you
must choose the BEST answer of those offered. Many answers are similar in nature, so it is recommended that you read all of the
responses before making your selection.

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the world’s main oceans?

A. Atlantic
B. Indian
C. Mediterranean
D. Arctic

2. Earth’s ocean began forming:

A. 6 billion years ago

B. 4.5 billion years ago
C. 4.3 billion years ago
D. 2.8 billion years ago

3. Life began in the oceans during which period?

A. Ordovician
B. Archean
C. Silurian
D. Permian

4. All life on Earth is divided into three biological domains:

A. the Archaea, the Microbia and the Eukarya

B. the Archaea, the Bacteria and the Eukarya
C. the Archaea, the Bacteria and the Eutheria
D. the Amnionaea, the Bacteria and the Eukarya

True / False: Circle “T” for true items and “F” for false items. If false, state the correct answer in a complete sentence. Remember,
if a statement is partially false, the whole statement is false.

5. T / F: At the time that the ocean began forming, Earth’s surface remained covered by a layer of granite.

If false:

6. T / F: Sixty-five percent of Earth’s surface is ocean.

If false:

7. T / F: Phylum Chordata includes fish, marine reptiles, sea and shorebirds and marine mammals.

If false:

STUDENT VOLUNTEER CLASS 2010 – Oceans and Wetlands Biome Quiz. 08.18.10

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8. T / F: Marine organisms produce three-quarters of the Earth’s oxygen during photosynthesis.

If false:

9. T / F: Ocean water is moved over huge distances over a long period of time by the Great Ocean Escalator.

If false:

10. T / F: Corals face a growing threat caused by global warming and the related threat of ocean alkalization.

If false:

Matching: Place the appropriate letter in the space provided next to each item.

11. Match each group of organisms with its lifestyle:

_____ plankton A. species that swim in the ocean, under their own power

_____ nekton B. species that live on, in or attached to the ocean floor

_____ benthos C. species whose movements are governed by the wind, currents and tides

12. Match each ocean habitat with its characteristic(s):

_____ deep ocean A. survival adaptations of organisms include camouflage, counter-shading

& transparency

_____ mid-ocean layer B. organisms must swim or be buoyant as there is no resting place

_____ near-ocean surface layer C. organisms must adapt to threat of desiccation, weather, tides & waves

_____ continental shelf D. biologically the most diverse in species

_____ intertidal zone E. cold and dark, so no food production through photosynthesis

13. Match each area with its characteristic(s):

_____ estuaries A. contain a mix of both ocean and fresh water; species have varied
adaptations for tolerating low salinity

_____ mudflats B. formed by terrestrial plants, adapted to live in intertidal areas

_____ salt marshes C. where many birds and burrowers feed on organisms found in sediment

_____ mangrove forests D. found in temperate and Sub-Arctic regions, these are grassy areas that
Are partially flooded at high tide

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Circle the Correct Answers to complete the following statements:

14. Found from the surface of the ocean to a depth of 650 ft., the epipelagic habitat is the (warmest / coolest) and best-
illuminated level of the ocean and supports many “suspension feeders”, organisms that (are suspended in the water / eat
other organisms that are suspended in the water).

15. The increasing nitrogen content in the ocean causes excessive (phytoplankton / algae) growth, which in turn dies, and in the
process of decaying uses up all the (oxygen / hydrogen) in the water.

16. Fisheries continue to threaten many fish species. (Fifty percent / Seventy percent) of global stocks have either crashed or
are being (overfished / artificially increased), both changing the ecology of the ocean.

17. Seawater density is affected by temperature and (alkalinity / salinity). Warmer water is (less / more) dense causing it to rise
toward the surface and release (heat / nitrogen) as it evaporates.

18. Wind and surface currents that move over long distances are affected by the (Coreolis effect / Eckman effect), which is
caused by Earth’s rotation. Currents are also affected by weather, season, proximity to shores, tides and by the (slope and
depth / length and breadth) of continental shelves.

Short Answer / Fill In the Blanks: Use the lines provided to respond to the following questions. Please write or print legibly.

19. Name TWO animals in each category:

benthos nekton plankton

20. Most major groups of animals had their beginnings in the ocean, and today’s species range from microscopic
________________________________________ to gigantic __________________________________________________.

21. Climate change is a major threat to the ocean’s ecosystems. Changes brought on by climate change include
______________________________________________ and _______________________________________________.

22. Name THREE things that the ocean provides:

A. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

B. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

C. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

23. Name TWO human activities which cause habitat destruction in the oceans:

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 A. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

B. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

24. Hypoxic zones are void of __________________________, except for the _______________________________
and ___________________________________ that thrive in low-oxygen areas.

25. Name FOUR substances that currently pollute the oceans:

A. _________________________________________ B. ___________________________________________

C. _________________________________________ D. ___________________________________________

Definitions: Enter the definitions of the following terms, using your notebook’s glossary of zoological and botanical terms:

26. photosynthesis:

27. aquatic:

28. amphibious:

29. crustacean:

30. instinct:

GRADE: _______ points out of a possible ____60_____.

Note: For a passing grade, you must correctly answer 90% of the questions ( ___54___ points or higher).