Welcome to Marine BiologyWelcome to Marine Biology

Introduction to Marine Introduction to Marine BiologyBiology1.1. How did Marine Biology start? Why?How did Marine Biology start? Why?

2.2. What is Marine Biology to you?What is Marine Biology to you?

You have about 5 minutes to work with a You have about 5 minutes to work with a partner.partner.

Chapter OneChapter One

The Science of Marine BiologyThe Science of Marine Biology

What is Marine Biology?What is Marine Biology?

• Marine biology Marine biology o the study of organisms that live in the sea (this the study of organisms that live in the sea (this

includes all water that has some degree of includes all water that has some degree of salinity).salinity).

• Marine biology is not a separate science. It is Marine biology is not a separate science. It is an applied field of biology and incorporates an applied field of biology and incorporates many other sciences as well such as:many other sciences as well such as:• GeologyGeology• Chemistry (organic and inorganic)Chemistry (organic and inorganic)• PhysicsPhysics• Meteorology Meteorology • ZoologyZoology

A Marine Biologist is not the A Marine Biologist is not the same as an Oceanographersame as an Oceanographer

• Marine Biologists study the Marine Biologists study the organisms that inhabit the sea. organisms that inhabit the sea. (living things)(living things)

A Marine Biologist is not the A Marine Biologist is not the same as an Oceanographersame as an Oceanographer• Oceanographers study the physical Oceanographers study the physical

aspects of the ocean including tides, aspects of the ocean including tides, currents, waves and the chemical make-currents, waves and the chemical make-up of seawater. (non-living environment)up of seawater. (non-living environment)

Why Study Marine Biology?Why Study Marine Biology?

1. Since life is believed to have arisen in the 1. Since life is believed to have arisen in the sea, studying marine life forms can provide sea, studying marine life forms can provide clue about early life on earth.clue about early life on earth.

2. Many products come from the sea including 2. Many products come from the sea including medicinesmedicines derived from marine species, derived from marine species, food food resources and other items used for resources and other items used for human use (examples: the human use (examples: the agaragar used to used to culture bacterial samples and carrageanan culture bacterial samples and carrageanan used thicken dairy products are both used thicken dairy products are both derivatives of marine algae).derivatives of marine algae).

Why Study Marine Biology?Why Study Marine Biology?

3. The marine environment and its 3. The marine environment and its habitats support recreation and habitats support recreation and tourism worldwide. tourism worldwide.

4. Marine organisms produce oxygen 4. Marine organisms produce oxygen used by aerobic organisms, including used by aerobic organisms, including humans.humans.

Why Study Marine Biology?Why Study Marine Biology?

5. Oceans help to regulate climate. 5. Oceans help to regulate climate. (Reason: The ocean is slow to change in (Reason: The ocean is slow to change in

temperature because of the sheer volume temperature because of the sheer volume of water. This keeps land masses near the of water. This keeps land masses near the ocean more stable year-round)ocean more stable year-round)

Example: Ever notice how the temperature Example: Ever notice how the temperature at the coast is 10-15 degrees warmer in at the coast is 10-15 degrees warmer in the fall compared to inland, but also 10-15 the fall compared to inland, but also 10-15 cooler in the summer? cooler in the summer?

Why study marine biology?Why study marine biology?

6. Marine organisms can cause problems 6. Marine organisms can cause problems directly to human life or their property.directly to human life or their property.

As an example, many power plant facilities As an example, many power plant facilities use seawater pulled from the ocean or salty use seawater pulled from the ocean or salty rivers to cool internal parts in the power rivers to cool internal parts in the power plant. The intake pipes get clogged by plant. The intake pipes get clogged by marine organisms and the plant must be marine organisms and the plant must be periodically close to clear these organisms periodically close to clear these organisms from the pipes. from the pipes.

Why Study Marine Biology?Why Study Marine Biology?

Marine organisms can cause Marine organisms can cause problems directly to human life problems directly to human life or their property (continued).or their property (continued).

Another example: there are Another example: there are microorganisms that can microorganisms that can directly affect human health or directly affect human health or other organisms such as other organisms such as PfiesteriaPfiesteria (Phylum Protista). (Phylum Protista).

Why Study Marine BiologyWhy Study Marine Biology

7.7.Human’s impact on our ocean.Human’s impact on our ocean.

Human Impact

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Stone blades and clam shells Stone blades and clam shells have been recently discovered have been recently discovered in a cave in South Africa that in a cave in South Africa that are approximately 165,000 are approximately 165,000 years oldyears old

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Additionally, shell harpoons and Additionally, shell harpoons and fishhooks have been found that are fishhooks have been found that are approximately 110,000 years old. approximately 110,000 years old.

• This shows that man has been using This shows that man has been using the sea for some timethe sea for some time

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Early explorations were made by Early explorations were made by Pacific Islanders as well as the Pacific Islanders as well as the Phoenicians (land corresponds to Phoenicians (land corresponds to present-day Lebanon, coastal Israel present-day Lebanon, coastal Israel and Syria)and Syria)– extensively sailed the Mediterranean extensively sailed the Mediterranean

Sea, Red Sea, Black Sea, Indian Ocean Sea, Red Sea, Black Sea, Indian Ocean and Eastern Atlantic Ocean.and Eastern Atlantic Ocean.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Ancient Greeks also had Ancient Greeks also had extensive knowledge of the extensive knowledge of the near shore environment of near shore environment of the Mediterranean Sea.the Mediterranean Sea.

• Aristotle, the Greek Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, described philosopher, described many marine forms and many marine forms and their features.their features.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Much exploration stopped Much exploration stopped during the Dark Ages.during the Dark Ages.

• An exception is the An exception is the explorations of the Vikings in explorations of the Vikings in the Ninth and Tenth Centuries.the Ninth and Tenth Centuries.

• During this time, Leif Eriksson During this time, Leif Eriksson discovered Vinland (in 995 discovered Vinland (in 995 AD), which is now known as AD), which is now known as North America.North America.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• During the Renaissance, Columbus During the Renaissance, Columbus “rediscovered” the “New World” or “rediscovered” the “New World” or North America in 1492.North America in 1492.

• In 1519, Magellan sailed around the In 1519, Magellan sailed around the world. world.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology• James Cook and his crew James Cook and his crew

sailed all the oceans and sailed all the oceans and were the first Europeans to were the first Europeans to view the Arctic ice fields, view the Arctic ice fields, land on Hawaii and Tahiti as land on Hawaii and Tahiti as well as many other Pacific well as many other Pacific Islands. Islands.

• His crew did extensive His crew did extensive mapping and brought back mapping and brought back many specimens.many specimens.

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology• Charles DarwinCharles Darwin

– Sailed on the HMS Beagle from Sailed on the HMS Beagle from 1831-1836 as a naturalist.1831-1836 as a naturalist.

– Darwin observed, collected and Darwin observed, collected and wrote detailed written descriptions wrote detailed written descriptions of the organisms he observed. of the organisms he observed.

– He described many organisms that He described many organisms that were unknown to the scientific were unknown to the scientific community until then. community until then.

– (Of course, you may also (Of course, you may also remember Darwin from his theories remember Darwin from his theories on natural selection and evolution.)on natural selection and evolution.)

History of Marine BiologyHistory of Marine Biology

• Edward ForbesEdward Forbes– Studied the seafloor around the Studied the seafloor around the

British Isles, Aegean Sea and other British Isles, Aegean Sea and other locales in 1840’s and 1850’s.locales in 1840’s and 1850’s.

– A major contribution to marine A major contribution to marine biology was that species on the biology was that species on the seafloor vary greatly depending on seafloor vary greatly depending on depth. This discovery nicely depth. This discovery nicely illustrates a major underlying illustrates a major underlying principle of marine biology- principle of marine biology- zonation.zonation.

ZonationZonation

• ZonationZonation– presence of organisms in a particular presence of organisms in a particular

range (or zone).range (or zone).

• In a nutshell, this means that In a nutshell, this means that organisms will be found in distinct organisms will be found in distinct zones based on their tolerance to the zones based on their tolerance to the physical or environmental conditions physical or environmental conditions found in that zone.found in that zone.

• Charles Wyville ThompsonCharles Wyville Thompson– He was the scientific leader of the He was the scientific leader of the ChallengerChallenger

Expedition that sailed from 1872-1876.Expedition that sailed from 1872-1876.– This expedition was the first major exploration This expedition was the first major exploration

devoted to studying marine organisms.devoted to studying marine organisms.– The crew discovered thousands of species never The crew discovered thousands of species never

previously described and published 50 volumes previously described and published 50 volumes of information from the data collected on the of information from the data collected on the trip over the next 19 years!trip over the next 19 years!

Modern Marine BiologyModern Marine Biology

• Today, several marine biology research Today, several marine biology research stations exist in locations around the stations exist in locations around the world.world.

• In the United States, several facilities are In the United States, several facilities are considered to be among the best in the considered to be among the best in the world, including:world, including:– Woods Hole Marine Biological Lab, MA Woods Hole Marine Biological Lab, MA – Scripps Institute - La Jolla, CA Scripps Institute - La Jolla, CA – Friday Harbor Labs, WA Friday Harbor Labs, WA

Important Tools of the TradeImportant Tools of the Trade

• Remote sensingRemote sensing – satellites are used to view large – satellites are used to view large expanses of ocean at the ocean’s surface only.expanses of ocean at the ocean’s surface only.

A satellite image showing the abundance of photosynthetic organisms

Important Tools of the TradeImportant Tools of the Trade

• SonarSonar – used to map seafloor depths and – used to map seafloor depths and formations.formations.

Important Tools of the TradeImportant Tools of the Trade• ScubaScuba – used for direct human – used for direct human

exploration of oceanic exploration of oceanic environment for longer periods environment for longer periods and at deeper depths than and at deeper depths than would otherwise be available to would otherwise be available to man.man.

• Remotely operated vehiclesRemotely operated vehicles ((ROV’sROV’s) – allows for direct ) – allows for direct exploration of marine exploration of marine environment when scuba is not environment when scuba is not an option; these ROV’s can be an option; these ROV’s can be manned or unmanned.manned or unmanned.

Important Tools of the TradeImportant Tools of the Trade

• Research vesselsResearch vessels – these – these floating laboratories allow floating laboratories allow oceanographers and marine oceanographers and marine biologists to explore the biologists to explore the marine environments for marine environments for weeks, months or even years weeks, months or even years without returning to a land-without returning to a land-based facility.based facility.

Important Tools of the TradeImportant Tools of the Trade

• Underwater Research Underwater Research Station - Station - AquariusAquarius – – underwater research and underwater research and residential facility residential facility located in the Florida located in the Florida Keys. This underwater Keys. This underwater lab is located approx. 60 lab is located approx. 60 feet underwater and feet underwater and allows researchers to allows researchers to stay at this depth for stay at this depth for days or weeks without days or weeks without surfacing.surfacing.

SummarySummary

1.1.How do marine scientists conduct How do marine scientists conduct experiments now? 50 years ago?experiments now? 50 years ago?

2.2.What type of tools did they have then? What type of tools did they have then? Now? Now?

3.3.What do you want to learn about What do you want to learn about Marine Biology?Marine Biology?

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Sharks vs. Turtles

The The Scientific MethodScientific Method is Used is Used to Perform All Scientific to Perform All Scientific Research, Including Research Research, Including Research in Marine Biologyin Marine Biology

• The scientific method is a systematic way The scientific method is a systematic way of testing ideas.of testing ideas.

• At the heart of the method is the need to At the heart of the method is the need to OBSERVE nature.OBSERVE nature.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

• Begins with a hypothesis, or a Begins with a hypothesis, or a testable statement constructed from testable statement constructed from observations and reasoning.observations and reasoning.

• The hypothesis must be worded so The hypothesis must be worded so that it is testable by scientific means. that it is testable by scientific means. – Which one is testable?Which one is testable?

All marine organisms have gillsAll marine organisms have gills

There are aliens in space There are aliens in space

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

• One important aspect of science and the One important aspect of science and the scientific method is that you CANNOT scientific method is that you CANNOT PROVE any hypothesis – you can only PROVE any hypothesis – you can only DISPROVE hypotheses based on the DISPROVE hypotheses based on the evidence you have. evidence you have. – EX: Disprove all marine organisms have gills.EX: Disprove all marine organisms have gills.

• However, hypotheses that have been However, hypotheses that have been tested repeatedly and not disproved are tested repeatedly and not disproved are considered to be true based on the considered to be true based on the available evidence.available evidence.– EX: All fish have gillsEX: All fish have gills

Considerations in Scientific Considerations in Scientific ResearchResearch

• Variables and Constants (controls)Variables and Constants (controls)– Variable - Variable - A factor you will change throughout the A factor you will change throughout the

experiment.experiment.– Constants - Constants - Factors that do not change over the course of Factors that do not change over the course of

the experiment.the experiment.

– EX: If a researcher wanted to study the effects of EX: If a researcher wanted to study the effects of temperature on mussels, they could acquire temperature on mussels, they could acquire similar specimens of mussels from different similar specimens of mussels from different locations.locations.What are the constants? Design an experiment using What are the constants? Design an experiment using

two tanks. How would you proceed? two tanks. How would you proceed? All other conditions such as salinity, amount of food given, mussel All other conditions such as salinity, amount of food given, mussel

type, oxygen concentration, etc. must be kept constant. type, oxygen concentration, etc. must be kept constant.

Considerations in Scientific Considerations in Scientific ResearchResearch• Independent VariableIndependent Variable

– A variable you have control over. EX: A variable you have control over. EX: TempTemp

• Dependent VariableDependent Variable– Is what you measure in the experience Is what you measure in the experience

and you have no control over. EX: The and you have no control over. EX: The effect of temp on the growth of mussels. effect of temp on the growth of mussels. You have no control over how they grow.You have no control over how they grow.

What is a Theory?What is a Theory?

• In scientific language, a theory is a In scientific language, a theory is a hypothesis that has been tested hypothesis that has been tested repetitively over time by many people and repetitively over time by many people and has not been disproven.has not been disproven. Can you think of some examples?Can you think of some examples?

• Mountains of evidence support the theory Mountains of evidence support the theory and it is regarded as truth in the scientific and it is regarded as truth in the scientific community.community.

Limitations of Scientific Limitations of Scientific MethodMethod

• Due to the requirements for direct Due to the requirements for direct observations or measurements and a observations or measurements and a testable hypothesis, not all questions testable hypothesis, not all questions can be answered.can be answered.

• Science can offer no answers on Science can offer no answers on values, feelings and beliefs. These values, feelings and beliefs. These are beyond the scope of the scientific are beyond the scope of the scientific method. method.