AICE MARINE SCIENCE EXAM #3
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025/2026
What is an El Nino Normal year? - ANS - cold nutrient rich water along south america
- upwelling due to winds from south
- high productivity - plankton rich water
- large numbers of anchovies and sardines
- supports sustainable fisheries and bird species
what is an El Nino year? - ANS * every 2-10 years
- winds stop from east to southeast
- warm equatorial water is blown by abnormal winds from West
- pressure gradients in E to W are reversed
- reverse in winds and currents
- large area of warm water for in south america which causes cold water species to die
- upwelling stops
- nutrient supply to top is reduced = lack of nutrients = primary production rapidly decreases
- affects higher trophic levels
- collapse of commercial fish stocks
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What negative effects does El Nino have on the ocean? - ANS - Due to the lack of wind and
current movement, warm water builds up and stops upwelling.
- Without upwelling off the south american coast, there is no fresh supply of nutrients or colder
water to reduce surface temperatures.
- Since temperatures are warmer and there are less nutrients, many cold water species die in
primary productivity and go into a steep decline due to lack of nutrients.
- The Lack of producers affects the other levels of the food chain and causes the fishing industry
to collapse.
What are the requirements for El Nino formation? - ANS The main requirements for an El
Nino to form is extreme heat around the equator, stoppage or reversal of Tradewinds leading to
known upwelling and massive die offs.
What are the two parts to Binomial Nomenclature? - ANS - Genus (generic name) 1st name
- Species ( specific name) 2nd name
What two factors affect an ecosystem? - ANS - Abiotic
- Biotic
Abiotic Factors - ANS non living components that affect an ecosystem like temp, wind
exposure, salinity, etc.
Biotic Factors - ANS living components that affect an ecosystem like feeding relationships
between organisms (predator and prey)
What are the two Ecological Niches? - ANS - Generalists
- specialists
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
2025/2026
What is an El Nino Normal year? - ANS - cold nutrient rich water along south america
- upwelling due to winds from south
- high productivity - plankton rich water
- large numbers of anchovies and sardines
- supports sustainable fisheries and bird species
what is an El Nino year? - ANS * every 2-10 years
- winds stop from east to southeast
- warm equatorial water is blown by abnormal winds from West
- pressure gradients in E to W are reversed
- reverse in winds and currents
- large area of warm water for in south america which causes cold water species to die
- upwelling stops
- nutrient supply to top is reduced = lack of nutrients = primary production rapidly decreases
- affects higher trophic levels
- collapse of commercial fish stocks
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What negative effects does El Nino have on the ocean? - ANS - Due to the lack of wind and
current movement, warm water builds up and stops upwelling.
- Without upwelling off the south american coast, there is no fresh supply of nutrients or colder
water to reduce surface temperatures.
- Since temperatures are warmer and there are less nutrients, many cold water species die in
primary productivity and go into a steep decline due to lack of nutrients.
- The Lack of producers affects the other levels of the food chain and causes the fishing industry
to collapse.
What are the requirements for El Nino formation? - ANS The main requirements for an El
Nino to form is extreme heat around the equator, stoppage or reversal of Tradewinds leading to
known upwelling and massive die offs.
What are the two parts to Binomial Nomenclature? - ANS - Genus (generic name) 1st name
- Species ( specific name) 2nd name
What two factors affect an ecosystem? - ANS - Abiotic
- Biotic
Abiotic Factors - ANS non living components that affect an ecosystem like temp, wind
exposure, salinity, etc.
Biotic Factors - ANS living components that affect an ecosystem like feeding relationships
between organisms (predator and prey)
What are the two Ecological Niches? - ANS - Generalists
- specialists
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
