PART II
DIRECTIONS: Choose TWO of the four groups and answer ALL the questions in the
groups chosen.
Group 1  OCEANOGRAPHY
Use the passage below to answer questions 1 to 3 below.
Oxygen is one of several dissolved gases important to aquatic systems. Dissolved
oxygen is necessary to maintain aerobic conditions in surface waters and is considered a
primary indicator when assessing the suitability of surface waters to support aquatic life.
The oxygen content of natural waters varies with temperature, salinity, turbulence,
photosynthetic activity of algae and plants, and atmospheric pressure. Primary sources of
oxygen in water bodies include diffusion of atmospheric oxygen across the air-water
interface and photosynthesis of aquatic plants. For maintenance of aquatic health,
dissolved oxygen concentrations should approach saturation – the concentration that is in
equilibrium with the partial pressure of atmospheric oxygen. Solubility of oxygen is a
function of water temperature, salinity, and atmospheric pressure; decreasing with rising
temperature and salinity, and increasing with rising atmospheric pressure. Freshwater at
sea level has a saturation dissolved oxygen concentration of about 14.6 mg/L at 0C
(32F) and 8.2 mg/L at 25C (77F).
1. Name 5 factors that could cause the dissolved oxygen level of natural waters to
vary.
2. What are 2 sources of oxygen in water?
3. What are 2 factors that might reduce the dissolved oxygen content in water?
4. Observe the diagram below
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Describe what is happening to the light.
5 – 7. Complete the table below.
Depth (meters)
0
20
50
Pressure (atm)
Air Volume in Lungs(L)
6.0
Use the temperature/salinity/density graph to answer the following questions.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
8. What is the salinity of a sample of water with a density of 1.025 g/cm3 and a
temperature of 45 F?
9. What is the temperature of a sample of water with a density of 1.027 g/cm3 and a
salinity of 34 %o?
10. What is the density of a sample of water with a temperature of 80 F and a salinity
of 35 %o?
Group 2  AQUARIA
1. What is the single most important tank maintenance procedure? (Be specific in
your answer)
2. You have just brought home a fish from a pet store in a plastic bag. What is the
best way to acclimate the fish to a new tank?
3 – 6. Complete the table below:
Factor
pH
Density
Substrate
Temperature
Freshwater
Marine
7 – 9. Observe the diagram below, then describe the function of each part.
a) Blue Filter Pad
b) Bio-wheel
c) Activated Carbon
10. What is the correct way to install the aquarium equipment below?
Group 3  OSTEICHTHYES
1 – 5. Observe the diagram below. On the answer paper, label the appropriately
marked fins and indicate their function.
E
F
D
A
G
C
B
6. What is the name of the structure labeled F in the diagram from question 1?
7. What is the name of the structure labeled G in the diagram from question 1?
8. Explain the significance of COUNTER-CURRENT FLOW in bony fish
respiration.
9. What must a fish do to its swim bladder in order to move to shallower water?
Explain your answer.
10. A fish has a fin formula of V, 3. When it reproduces, what will be the fin formula
of ONLY THE FEMALE offspring?
Group 4  CHONDRICHTHYES
Use the data in the table below to construct a graph.
5
NUMBER OF REPORTED SHARK ATTACKS
SWIMMING
SURFING
SPEARFISHING
11
16
1. Label each axis appropriately.
2. Create a bar graph from the data.
3. Draw a conclusion about shark attacks based on the data table, the graph, and
your knowledge of marine biology.
4. What is the function of the structure depicted below
5. Why can sharks not utilize the same buoyancy mechanism used by osteichthyes?
6. Place the senses below in the order that a shark would use to find its prey from a
great distance
a. Sight
b. Electrical Signals
c. Sound
d. Smell
7. How can you tell that the picture below is of a shark?
8 – 10. Identify THREE characteristics that distinguish a SKATE from a RAY.