Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Thanks Ms. Bree
I just wanted to thank one of many great teachers out there~ Ms. Bree Reynolds! I had a blast in this class. All the snorkeling and food was great. Thank you for being such a great and understanding teacher. Congratulations on your growing family and Happy Holidays! :)
Fish Resources
The assignment given to us was to read a few of the many articles that relates to our fish resources in the CNMI. "There will be virtually nothing left to fish from the seas by the middle of the century if current trends continue, according to a major scientific study." This statement is exactly what Saipan is going through. One of the main source of food that we rely on are the fishes and it is really needed during 'Lent Season'. Commercial fishing is a business that relies, by definition, on the killing of fish. The more fish caught, the more successful. Not only does if help as a business on island, but having fish as a dish, has always been a part of a tradition as well. As far as I can remember, at almost all major gatherings, fish was always served. I was told that because it came from the ocean (and not our pockets), it helps when we have big gatherings.
"The benefits of marine-protected areas are quite clear in a few cases; there's no doubt that protecting areas leads to a lot more fish and larger fish, and less vulnerability," he said. I appreciate that such a study is being done to help protect our resources. I also agree with the "Catch-and-release" fishing, instead of "Catch-and-keep" fishing. At least for the sport of fishing.
"The benefits of marine-protected areas are quite clear in a few cases; there's no doubt that protecting areas leads to a lot more fish and larger fish, and less vulnerability," he said. I appreciate that such a study is being done to help protect our resources. I also agree with the "Catch-and-release" fishing, instead of "Catch-and-keep" fishing. At least for the sport of fishing.
All the Quizzes...
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 19 : The Oceans and Human Affairs : ... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 28
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 18 : The Impact of Humans on the Mar... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 28
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 7 : Marine Animals Without a Backbon... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 28
noreply-he (2)QUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 5 : The Microbial World : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-he (2)QUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 4 : Some Basics of Biology : Level 2... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 3 : Chemical and Physical Features o... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 14 : Coral Reefs : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 9 : Marine Reptiles, Birds, and Mamm... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 8 : Marine Fishes : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 2 : The Sea Floor : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 18 : The Impact of Humans on the Mar... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 28
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 7 : Marine Animals Without a Backbon... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 28
noreply-he (2)QUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 5 : The Microbial World : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-he (2)QUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 4 : Some Basics of Biology : Level 2... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 3 : Chemical and Physical Features o... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 14 : Coral Reefs : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 9 : Marine Reptiles, Birds, and Mamm... - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 8 : Marine Fishes : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
noreply-heQUIZ RESULTS FOR Castro : Marine Biology : Chapter 2 : The Sea Floor : Level 2 Quiz - Do not reply to this email. The sender's email address is listed below as Student eMail … Nov 27
~ALL Critical Thinking Questions~
Chapter 2
2.) Why are most oceanic trenches found in the Pacific Ocean?-->An oceanic trench is a linear depression of the sea floor caused by the subduction of one plate under another. These trenches are associated with earthquakes and volcanoes. They are generally parallel to a volcanic island arc. Examples include are the Mariana Islands which are located in the Pacific Ocean. Oceanic trenches typically extend 3 to 4 km below the level of the surrounding oceanic floor. The deepest ocean depth to be sounded is in the Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench at a depth of 10,911 m (35,798 ft) below sea level.earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/glossary.php?term=oceanic%20trenchen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariana_Trench
Chapter 4
1.) During the day, algae carry out both photosynthesis and respiration, but at night, whent here is no light, they can only perform respiration. Small, isolated tide pools on rocky shores are often inhabited by thick growths of seaweeds, which are algae. Would you expect the amount of oxygen in the water to differ between night and day? How?
-->Yes, I would expect the amount of oxygen in the water to lessen at night. With no solar energy, autotrophs (plants, algae, and seaweed) don't produce oxygen.
Chapter 5
1.) Scientists use the particular structure of nucleic acids and other chemical differences to separate the archaea from the bacteria. Can you think of other characteristics that could be used to distinguish not only between these two domains but also between them and Protists?
-->The two prokaryotic domains, Bacteria and Archaea, have important differences, including the chemistry of their cell walls and plasma membranes, and the cellular machinery that manufactures proteins. They are the simpliest and most primitive form of life that we know. Protists are mostly aquatic primary producers that lack the specialized tissues of plants. They range in size and compllexity from single cells to large multicellular seaweeds.
Chapter 6
2.) Only very few flowering plants have invaded the oceans, but those that have are very successful. What are some possible reasons for the small number of marine flowering plants? How do those that have taken the step manage to thrive in some environments?
-->There are only a few species of flowering plants that live in the ocean. An example is the Seagrass flowers, whose closest relatives seem to be members of the lily family, which shows that seagrasses evolved from land plants. But they have very well adapted to life in the marine environment. Instead of attracting insect for pollination, the pollen is carried by the water currents. Tiny seeds result from successful fertilization. These seeds are dispersed by water currents and perhaps in the feces of the fish and other animals that browse on the plants.
Chapter 8
1.) Hagfishes and lampreys are the only living representatives of a very ancient group. Why do you suppose there are still some of these jawless fishes around? --> Jawless fishes are know to be the most primitive fishes living today. I suppose they have exsited this long due to their feeding habits. They feed mostly on dead or dying fishes. This resource is simply impossible to run out off.2.) A deep-water shark, new to science, is collected for the first time. The specimen is studied in detail, but its stomach is empty. How could you get a rough idea of its feeding habits? The specimen is a female, and its reproductive tract is found to contain 20 eggs. Can you tell the type of developement characteristic of this species?--> In order to determine the feeding habits of this new specimen, you can study the jaws. Not all of the nearly 350 living species of sharks conform the same body plan, but the majority are known to contain rows of numerous sharp, often triangular teeth. This feature helps since sharks are known to be adapted for predatory feeding. Also to keep in mind, that there are sharks (whale sharks) that are filter feeders. This is could very well help explain an empty stomach. Because this specimen is yet to be unknown, it is hard to study the type of developement characteristic of the 20 eggs found. There are two different types of sharks that may very well affect the developement. One is oviparous and the other is viviparous. In an oviparous shark, the yolk is needed to provide energy for at least several months of development. Without this amount of time, the eggs won't be fully developed. And in a vivparous shark, nutrition is provided by direct contact with the reproductive tract of the female.3.) Individuals of some species of bony fishes change sex, some to maintain more males than females, others more females than males. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each situation? Are there any advantages and disadvantages in having an equal number of males and females?-->One advantage of maintaining more males than females is that there will be more chances of having a dominant male. Since a dominant male is needed to triger these changes (protandry and protogyny). A disadvantage of this situation will be that with less female, there will be less chances of reproduction. Whereas, this would be an advantage of having more females than males. And as for having an equal number of males and females, I think that there will be no advantages or disadvantages, since everything will turn out to be average.
Chapter 14
1.) What factors might account for the fact that the vast majority of atolls occur in the Indian and Pacific oceans and that atolls are rare in the Atlantic?-->One main factor that accounts for the fact that the vast majority of atolls occur in the Indo-West Pacific region, is that the trade winds, which is the steadiest winds on earth, blow from latitudes of about 30 degrees toward the equator. Atolls are strongly influenced by these winds. They are also usually found far from land, rising up from depths of thousands of meters or more. The Pacific Ocean is the world's deepest ocean. And it is known to have alot of volcanic activity which atolls gets its start when a deep-sea volcano erupts to build a volcanic island. Reef corals also require warm water. And there are more warm surface currents in the Indian and Pacific Ocean than in the Atlantic Ocean.2.) Scientists predict that the ocean will get warmer and the sea level will rise as a result of an intensified greenhouse effect. How might this affect coral reefs?-->Yes, our planet Earth is in fact warming up, an effect known as global warming. It is predicted that the ocean currents may change. This change will affect the already stressed ecosystems such as mangrove forests and estuaries will be flooded; coral reefs may not grow fast enough to keep up with the rising sea levels.3.) There are only a few reefs off the northeast coast of Brazil, even though it lies in the tropics. How would you explain this?-->The northeast coast of Brazil lies in tropics, which is common for reef-building corals. But there are only a few reefs located in this area. There is also the Amazon River which is known to be the largest river in the world. Most corals do not do well near river mouths. This is not only because of the lowered salinity but also because rivers bring in a lot of silty sediment, which is generally unfavorable to corals.
2.) Why are most oceanic trenches found in the Pacific Ocean?-->An oceanic trench is a linear depression of the sea floor caused by the subduction of one plate under another. These trenches are associated with earthquakes and volcanoes. They are generally parallel to a volcanic island arc. Examples include are the Mariana Islands which are located in the Pacific Ocean. Oceanic trenches typically extend 3 to 4 km below the level of the surrounding oceanic floor. The deepest ocean depth to be sounded is in the Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench at a depth of 10,911 m (35,798 ft) below sea level.earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/glossary.php?term=oceanic%20trenchen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariana_Trench
Chapter 4
1.) During the day, algae carry out both photosynthesis and respiration, but at night, whent here is no light, they can only perform respiration. Small, isolated tide pools on rocky shores are often inhabited by thick growths of seaweeds, which are algae. Would you expect the amount of oxygen in the water to differ between night and day? How?
-->Yes, I would expect the amount of oxygen in the water to lessen at night. With no solar energy, autotrophs (plants, algae, and seaweed) don't produce oxygen.
Chapter 5
1.) Scientists use the particular structure of nucleic acids and other chemical differences to separate the archaea from the bacteria. Can you think of other characteristics that could be used to distinguish not only between these two domains but also between them and Protists?
-->The two prokaryotic domains, Bacteria and Archaea, have important differences, including the chemistry of their cell walls and plasma membranes, and the cellular machinery that manufactures proteins. They are the simpliest and most primitive form of life that we know. Protists are mostly aquatic primary producers that lack the specialized tissues of plants. They range in size and compllexity from single cells to large multicellular seaweeds.
Chapter 6
2.) Only very few flowering plants have invaded the oceans, but those that have are very successful. What are some possible reasons for the small number of marine flowering plants? How do those that have taken the step manage to thrive in some environments?
-->There are only a few species of flowering plants that live in the ocean. An example is the Seagrass flowers, whose closest relatives seem to be members of the lily family, which shows that seagrasses evolved from land plants. But they have very well adapted to life in the marine environment. Instead of attracting insect for pollination, the pollen is carried by the water currents. Tiny seeds result from successful fertilization. These seeds are dispersed by water currents and perhaps in the feces of the fish and other animals that browse on the plants.
Chapter 8
1.) Hagfishes and lampreys are the only living representatives of a very ancient group. Why do you suppose there are still some of these jawless fishes around? --> Jawless fishes are know to be the most primitive fishes living today. I suppose they have exsited this long due to their feeding habits. They feed mostly on dead or dying fishes. This resource is simply impossible to run out off.2.) A deep-water shark, new to science, is collected for the first time. The specimen is studied in detail, but its stomach is empty. How could you get a rough idea of its feeding habits? The specimen is a female, and its reproductive tract is found to contain 20 eggs. Can you tell the type of developement characteristic of this species?--> In order to determine the feeding habits of this new specimen, you can study the jaws. Not all of the nearly 350 living species of sharks conform the same body plan, but the majority are known to contain rows of numerous sharp, often triangular teeth. This feature helps since sharks are known to be adapted for predatory feeding. Also to keep in mind, that there are sharks (whale sharks) that are filter feeders. This is could very well help explain an empty stomach. Because this specimen is yet to be unknown, it is hard to study the type of developement characteristic of the 20 eggs found. There are two different types of sharks that may very well affect the developement. One is oviparous and the other is viviparous. In an oviparous shark, the yolk is needed to provide energy for at least several months of development. Without this amount of time, the eggs won't be fully developed. And in a vivparous shark, nutrition is provided by direct contact with the reproductive tract of the female.3.) Individuals of some species of bony fishes change sex, some to maintain more males than females, others more females than males. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each situation? Are there any advantages and disadvantages in having an equal number of males and females?-->One advantage of maintaining more males than females is that there will be more chances of having a dominant male. Since a dominant male is needed to triger these changes (protandry and protogyny). A disadvantage of this situation will be that with less female, there will be less chances of reproduction. Whereas, this would be an advantage of having more females than males. And as for having an equal number of males and females, I think that there will be no advantages or disadvantages, since everything will turn out to be average.
Chapter 14
1.) What factors might account for the fact that the vast majority of atolls occur in the Indian and Pacific oceans and that atolls are rare in the Atlantic?-->One main factor that accounts for the fact that the vast majority of atolls occur in the Indo-West Pacific region, is that the trade winds, which is the steadiest winds on earth, blow from latitudes of about 30 degrees toward the equator. Atolls are strongly influenced by these winds. They are also usually found far from land, rising up from depths of thousands of meters or more. The Pacific Ocean is the world's deepest ocean. And it is known to have alot of volcanic activity which atolls gets its start when a deep-sea volcano erupts to build a volcanic island. Reef corals also require warm water. And there are more warm surface currents in the Indian and Pacific Ocean than in the Atlantic Ocean.2.) Scientists predict that the ocean will get warmer and the sea level will rise as a result of an intensified greenhouse effect. How might this affect coral reefs?-->Yes, our planet Earth is in fact warming up, an effect known as global warming. It is predicted that the ocean currents may change. This change will affect the already stressed ecosystems such as mangrove forests and estuaries will be flooded; coral reefs may not grow fast enough to keep up with the rising sea levels.3.) There are only a few reefs off the northeast coast of Brazil, even though it lies in the tropics. How would you explain this?-->The northeast coast of Brazil lies in tropics, which is common for reef-building corals. But there are only a few reefs located in this area. There is also the Amazon River which is known to be the largest river in the world. Most corals do not do well near river mouths. This is not only because of the lowered salinity but also because rivers bring in a lot of silty sediment, which is generally unfavorable to corals.
Adapations and Biology of Birds
"Mariana Common Moorhen / Gallinula chloropus guami / Pulattat "-->The Mariana Common Moorhen, also known in the native language as Pulattat, is the only remaining wetland bird species in the Mariana Islands. The distinguishing physical characteristics of adult birds include a red bill and frontal shield, white undertail coverts, a white line along the flank, and long olive-green legs with large unwebbed feet. Males and females are nearly identical in appearance and are difficult to distinguish from each other. Moorhens in the Mariana Islands are found primarily at freshwater manmade and natural wetlands that are both seasonal and permanent. Occasionally, they are recorded in brackish water wetlands. Wetlands that support about equal amounts of emergent, submergent, and/or floating vegetation and open water are more suitable to moorhens for feeding, nesting, and loafing than wetlands that are predominately open water or that support mostly emergent wetland vegetation. In the Mariana Islands, moorhens have been recorded at golf course wetlands, commercial fish ponds, sewage treatment plants, wetlands created for the mitigation of wetland loss, but rarely at rivers and streams. Mariana Common Moorhens feed on a variety of plant and animal matter that may be located in the water, in and adjacent to wetland vegetation, and along the shoreline. Moorhens in the Mariana Islands move from seasonal to permanent wetlands during the dry season (January to April) and then move back to seasonal wetlands during the rainy season (July to November). They also fly between islands to utilize seasonal and permanent wetlands.http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/wesa/moorehenmariaindex.html
***Compared to: "Micronesian Megapode / Megapodius laperouse / sasangat or sasangal"-->The Megapodiidae are part of a family within the order Galliformes (chicken-like birds) found only in the Australasian region. The family is comprised of seven genera found in Australasia (Australia, New Guinea and surrounding islands, eastern Indonesia, the Nicobar Islands, the Philippines, Micronesia, Vanuatu, and Niuafo`ou of the Tonga Islands). The Micronesian Megapode is generally a bird of the forest. The Micronesian Megapode is a pigeon-sized bird with an average weight of about 12.25 ounces (3.8 grams). It has a dark gray-brown to black body plumage and an ash gray head with a slightly darker, short, rough crest. The flight feathers and short tail are grayish-black, and the wings are short and round. The bill is yellow with the upper mandible clove-brown to black at the base. The feathers around the eye, ear, and throat are very sparse or absent revealing red skin and a red throat patch. The heavily built legs and feet are yellow with the joints of toes and/or all the upper surface dark gray-black. Megapodes are sometimes called “incubator birds” because they rely on solar energy, volcanic activity, or microbial decomposition as a heat source for incubation. They are also characterized by laying large eggs without an air chamber. Chicks lack an egg tooth at hatching and kick their way out of the egg. Megapode chicks are precocial (feathered, able to walk, and able to regulate their body temperature) at hatching and the adults do not care for the young. The Micronesian Megapode seems to be an omnivore, taking a variety of plant and animal foods available on the forest floor, including seeds, beetles, ants, other insects, and plant matter. http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/wesa/megapodeindex.html~Describe at least 4 adaptations for each animal and contrast these adaptations to animals of the same class on land. How is the physiology different between the animal and another from the same class on land?-->The Mariana Common Moorhen, or also known as Pulattat, and the Micronesian Megapode both belong to the class aves. Class aves (birds) are bipedal, warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrate animals. Yet, their way of living differs in many ways. For instance, the pulattats are known to be found primarily at freshwater manmade and natural wetlands. Occasionally, they are recorded in brackish water wetlands. And the Micronesian Megapode are generally known as a bird of the forest. Both birds feed on a variety of plants and animals. But the pulattats commonly feed on plants and animals that may be located in the water, in and adjacent to wetland vegetation, and along the shoreline. While the Micronesian Megapode feed on what is available on the forest floor, including seeds, beetles, ants, other insects, and plant matter.
***Compared to: "Micronesian Megapode / Megapodius laperouse / sasangat or sasangal"-->The Megapodiidae are part of a family within the order Galliformes (chicken-like birds) found only in the Australasian region. The family is comprised of seven genera found in Australasia (Australia, New Guinea and surrounding islands, eastern Indonesia, the Nicobar Islands, the Philippines, Micronesia, Vanuatu, and Niuafo`ou of the Tonga Islands). The Micronesian Megapode is generally a bird of the forest. The Micronesian Megapode is a pigeon-sized bird with an average weight of about 12.25 ounces (3.8 grams). It has a dark gray-brown to black body plumage and an ash gray head with a slightly darker, short, rough crest. The flight feathers and short tail are grayish-black, and the wings are short and round. The bill is yellow with the upper mandible clove-brown to black at the base. The feathers around the eye, ear, and throat are very sparse or absent revealing red skin and a red throat patch. The heavily built legs and feet are yellow with the joints of toes and/or all the upper surface dark gray-black. Megapodes are sometimes called “incubator birds” because they rely on solar energy, volcanic activity, or microbial decomposition as a heat source for incubation. They are also characterized by laying large eggs without an air chamber. Chicks lack an egg tooth at hatching and kick their way out of the egg. Megapode chicks are precocial (feathered, able to walk, and able to regulate their body temperature) at hatching and the adults do not care for the young. The Micronesian Megapode seems to be an omnivore, taking a variety of plant and animal foods available on the forest floor, including seeds, beetles, ants, other insects, and plant matter. http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/wesa/megapodeindex.html~Describe at least 4 adaptations for each animal and contrast these adaptations to animals of the same class on land. How is the physiology different between the animal and another from the same class on land?-->The Mariana Common Moorhen, or also known as Pulattat, and the Micronesian Megapode both belong to the class aves. Class aves (birds) are bipedal, warm-blooded, egg-laying vertebrate animals. Yet, their way of living differs in many ways. For instance, the pulattats are known to be found primarily at freshwater manmade and natural wetlands. Occasionally, they are recorded in brackish water wetlands. And the Micronesian Megapode are generally known as a bird of the forest. Both birds feed on a variety of plants and animals. But the pulattats commonly feed on plants and animals that may be located in the water, in and adjacent to wetland vegetation, and along the shoreline. While the Micronesian Megapode feed on what is available on the forest floor, including seeds, beetles, ants, other insects, and plant matter.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
