EXAM Q&A 2026 100% CORRECT.
⩥ What is the ocean's major source of productivity and the base of the
marine food chain?
a. Krill
b. Seagrass
c. Coral
d. Phytoplankton Answer: d. Phytoplankton
⩥ True or False. Natural processes, such as earthquakes and storms,
are much more of a severe threat to coral reefs and wetlands than
human-induced threats, such as pollution. Answer: False.
⩥ True or False. When an alien (invasive) species is introduced into
an ecosystem, it may have no natural enemies, which allows it to
quickly multiply and possibly overtake and kill off native species.
Answer: True.
,⩥ A _______________ exists when relatively warm, low-density
surface water is separated from cool, high-density deep water.
a. freshwater layer
b. thermocline
c. downwelling
d. rip current Answer: d. thermocline
⩥ If you stand on a beach and watch water generally moving down
the coast, pushed by waves approaching the shore at an angle and
assisted by the prevailing wind, you are looking at a _______ current.
a. rip
b. tidal
c. longshore
d. upwelling Answer: c. longshore
⩥ A day after strong winds drive surface waters offshore, you notice
that water conditions become clear and cool. This is likely due to:
, a. downwelling
b. extreme tides.
c. a longshore current.
d. upwelling Answer: d. upweling
⩥ Gravitational interaction between the sun, moon and earth cause
______, while wind is the most common disturbing force that causes
___________.
a. tides / waves
b. surge / currents
c. rip currents / ocean swells.
d. waves / tides Answer: a. tides / waves.
⩥ True or False. As a wave moves toward shore, its energy is affected
by the bottom causing the wave height to rise, eventually becoming
unstable and spilling its energy as surf. Answer: True.