An image of a fish

Lesson 12 - Ocean Depths

Introduction

In this lesson you will study life in the ocean depths.
 
Getting Started Now we will examine the general ecology of the ocean depths. Our studies will include an examination of the basic characteristics of the mesopelagic, bathypelagic, and abyssopelagic environments. We will also examine the organisms that live there and the adaptations they have for life in the darkness of the ocean depths.


Focus on Learning

 

Use the course competencies listed below to focus your learning and use the lesson objectives to sharpen that focus.
 
Competencies By the end of the lesson , you should be able to:

  1. Describe the pelagic environment.
  2. Relate the structure and function of pelagic nekton to the depth at which they live.
 
Objectives

To master the competencies, you should be able to:

  1. Describe the physical characteristics of the ocean depths.
  2. Compare and contrast the fishes of the epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, and abyssopelagic zones.


Reading Assignments

Reading Assignment Reading is a very important component of an internet course. Read the assigned pages from your textbook and coloring book before proceeding to the Instruction section.
   
Textbook Read the Assignments in Castro and Huber's Marine Biology Textbook:
12.1 Midwaters: Chapter 16
12.2 Deep Sea: Chapter 16
   
Coloring Book Read the Assignments in Niesen's Marine Biology Coloring Book:
12.1 Midwaters: Plates 15, 69, 70 and 114
12.2 Deep Sea: Plates 16 and 17
   
Complete the optional Reading Self Test after completing the reading assignments. Have your textbook open as you work on it. The self test is a warm up for the reading quiz that follows.
   
Reading Self Test
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Reading Self Test located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Reading Self Test 12 Ocean Depths
 



Instruction

Complete the Lecture Exercise below. The lecture exercise consists of two sets of online notes and a notes self test.
   
Study the online notes. Have your books and notebook open as you work on them. Add the information you find in the notes to your notebook or print them and add them to your notebook. The notes can be opened when completing the self test and quiz. The information you find in these notes is very helpful when completing the graded note quiz when assessing your learning below.
   
Online Notes
Read the Online Notes by Clicking the Links Below: 
Notes 12.1 Midwaters
Notes 12.2 Deep Sea
   
Complete the optional Notes Self Test after studying the online notes. Have the online notes, your books and notebook open as you work on it. The self test is a warm up for the note quiz that follows.
   
Notes Self Test
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Notes Self Test located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Notes: Self Test 12 Ocean Depths
   
Complete the Laboratory Exercise below. The laboratory exercise consists of four lab activities and a lab self test.
   
Complete the Lab Activities. Have your books and notebook open as you work on them. Add the information you find in the lab activities to your notebook. The information in these activities is very helpful when completing the graded lab quiz when assesing your learning below.
   
Lab Activities
Complete the Lab Activities by Clicking the Links Below:
Lab Activity 12.1 Deep Environments
Lab Activity 12.2 Deep Creatures
Lab Activity 12.3 Bioluminescence
Lab Activity 12.4 Hydrothermal Vents
   
Complete the optional Lab Self Test after completing the lab activities. Have the online lab activities, your books and notebook open as you work on it. The self test is a warm up for the lab quiz that follows.
   
Lab Self Test
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Lab Self Test located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Lab Self Test 12 Ocean Depths



Assess Your Learning

It's time to assess what you have learned from your reading. The following Reading Quiz is a graded assignment. Have your textbook open as you work on it. Be sure to submit your work when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Reading Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Reading Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Reading Quiz 12 Ocean Depths
   
It's time to assess what you have learned from the online notes. The following Note Quiz is a graded assignment. Have your books and notebook open as you work on it. Be sure to submit your work when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Notes Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Notes Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Notes Quiz 12 Ocean Depths
   
It's time to think about and express what you have learned in the lab activities. The following Lab Worksheet is a graded assignment. Feel free to draw upon any of the work you have already done. Be sure to submit your lab worksheet when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Lab Worksheet
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Lab Worksheet located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Lab Worksheet 12 Ocean Depths
   
It's time to assess what you have learned from your lab activities. The following Lab Quiz is a graded assignment. Have your books and notebook open as you work on it. Be sure to submit your work when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Lab Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Lab Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Lab Quiz 12 Ocean Depths



Express Your Learning

It's time to think about the big picture and express what you have learned in this lesson. The following Essay Quiz is a graded assignment. Feel free to draw upon any of the work you have already done. Be sure to submit your essay quiz when you complete it. Good luck!
   
Essay Quiz
Log-in to BlackBoard and navigate to the Essay Quiz located in the Lesson Folder within Course Content:
Essay Quiz 12 Ocean Depths



Related Web Sites

Here is a website that I like in case you'd like to pursue this topic on the internet:

In Search of the Giant Squid

Have You Met The Objectives For This Lesson?