Term |
Definition |
Bioluminescence |
Any organism that makes it's own light from a chemical reaction. |
Chemosynthesis |
When organisms make their food using chemical heat. |
Photosynthesis |
When organisms make their food using light. |
Hadal |
The last layer in the ocean that includes trenches from 6000 meters to 11000 meters under the water. Also named after Hades. |
Abyssal |
The fourth layer in the ocean that goes from 4000 to 6000 meters underwater. Named for being "bottomless" |
Midnight |
The third layer in the ocean that goes from 1000 to 4000 meters under the water. Named for being so dark. |
Twilight |
The second layer of the ocean that goes from 200 to 1000 meters underwater. It was named for being barely able to see. |
Sunlight |
The top layer of the ocean from 0-200 meters.l It is light and many plants & animals stay in this zone. Named for being so light. |
Deep Ocean |
1k+ meters below the surface is this area. Includes the Midnight zone, Abyssal zone, and Hadal zone. |
Trenches |
Deep ditches in the ocean that is caused by continental drift. The deepest discovered is the Marianas Trench. |
Marine Snow |
In the bottom layers when organic particles rain down and feed other organisms. Normally the organisms only source of food. |
Continental Drift |
When the tectonic plates move around. |
Ridge |
Under water mountain ranges. Also caused by the continental drift. |
Continental Shelf |
The edge where the depth of the water increases rapidly. It is like a ledge where the bottom drops. |
Salinity |
How salty the water (or other liquid) is. |
Hydrothermal Vents |
Volcano like spouts at the bottom of the ocean that shoot out hot water or steam. |
Black Smoke Vents |
A name that some scientists call Hydrothermal Vents because the steam is packed together so much it looks like a black cloud. |
Depth |
How deep something is. |
Plankton |
Non-moving organisms or organisms that cannot move for themselves, they just go with the flow of the ocean currents. |
Nekton |
Freely moving organisms, they move around when and how they want. |
Estuaries |
Where the mouth of a fresh water rive rand the ocean meet and make an ecosystem. |
Ecosystem |
A system where the living and non-living organisms work together. |
Vacules |
Little pockets on plants that in estuaries some plants use to store salt. |
Dry Season |
When the area is not very rainy. |
Water Pressure |
The column of water that adds pressure and it's capable of crushing you like a Krabby Patty. |
Ecologists |
A person that studies the interaction between organisms and their environment. |
Monsoon Season |
When it rains a lot in an area. |