NAME:______________________________________
Planet Earth: Ocean Deep
1. What is the limiting factor for most animal life in the open ocean?
The Euphotic zone: The first segment covers the top part of the ocean, where there is enough sunlight for
photosynthesis.
2. What producers serve as the basis of the food chain in this layer of the ocean? ________________________
3. Make a food web based on the segment you just watched. Include the following: sunlight, whale sharks, plankton,
bait fish, and yellow fin tuna.
4. Why is a strong sense of taste so important for open ocean predators like oceanic white-tip sharks?
5. What adaptation is present in the dolphins that help them in searching for prey?
6. Describe any adaptations you see in the manta ray that help it gather food.
The Aphotic zone: The second segment covers the bottom part of the ocean, where there is not enough sunlight for
photosynthesis. The adaptations of these animals are very similar, however, focusing on energy conservation and
gathering food.
7. Since the aphotic zone does not receive enough sunlight for photosynthesis, plankton aren’t present. What is basis of
the food chain here? _________________________
8. Describe an adaptation that the Sea Spider has for gathering food and conserving energy.
a. Gathering Food –
b. Conserving Energy –
9. Explain how the Dumbo Octopus swims differently than other octopus species, and why this would be an advantage
in the aphotic zone.
10. The vampire squid produces bioluminescence. What is bioluminescence? What advantage does it give to the squid?
The Ocean Floor: The third segment covers the floor of the ocean itself. This is the darkest part of the ocean and
experiences the highest amount of water pressure.
11. Describe the physical layout of the ocean floor.
12. Finding food at the ocean floor can be very challenging. Compare the methods of gathering food used by sea urchins
and shrimp.
Sea Urchins –
Shrimp –
13. Isopods, crabs, and eels are all considered scavengers. Describe their niche in the ocean floor ecosystem.
14. Why are scavengers so important to an ecosystem?
Black Smokers and Chimneys: Certain areas of the ocean floor have hydrothermal vents; an area where superheated
water from below the ocean floor is able to escape.
15. The community of organisms around the black smoker lives completely independently of the sun. What serves as
the base source of energy? _____________________________
16. Why are the types of organisms that live at each underwater hot vent so dramatically different?
17. What happened to the community of tubeworms that caused it to die off?
The Coral Reef: The next segment covers a coral reef; the most biodiverse ecosystem in the ocean. The first coral reef is
in the aphotic zone, along a massive underwater volcano. The second is in the euphotic zone.
18. Whip corals and sponges both rely on marine snow as a food source. How does each collect it differently?
-Whip Corals:
-Sponges:
19. How does the nautilus move, if it does not have fins or a tail?
20. Why would being so incredibly light for its size be an advantage for frigate birds?
The Open Ocean: The last segment once more explores the open ocean, far from any coast or reef.
21. Why is the blue whale such a vulnerable species?