We're going to continue our journey in Marine Biology by investigating the tiny world of microbes, learn how to do photosynthesis in total darkness, discover how animals can make light, and explore what lives both in the ocean and near the shores.

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Lesson 11: Phytoplankton
Lesson 12: Chemosynthesis and Microscopic Organisms
Lesson 13: Properties of Light
Lesson 14: Chemiluminescence & Bioluminescence
Lesson 15: Undersea Creatures
Lesson 16: Fish and Mammals

Quick Links:
Marine Biology 1
Marine Biology 3

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Lesson 11: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are tiny, microscopic organisms that live in the ocean (and in fresh water), and it’s a catch-all term for many different kinds of organisms. Some are bacteria, like the cyanobacteria, others are protists, and others are single-celled plants. They all have chlorophyll to transform sunlight into chemical energy using photosynthesis. The eat the CO2 and provide oxygen. You can’t see them with your eyes because they are so small, but one teaspoon of ocean water contains 5 million bacteria.


Materials:

  • 2 hand held magnifiers
  • dollar bill
  • penny

Materials:

  • red or green laser (watch video for laser tips)
  • large paperclip
  • rubber band
  • stack of books
  • white wall
  • pond water sample (or make your own from a cup of water with dead grass that's been sitting for a week on the windowsill)

Download Student Worksheet & Exercises




Lesson 13: Properties of Light

Materials:

  • flashlight
  • laser
  • red and green gummy bear

Download your student worksheet here!




Lesson 14: Chemiluminescence & Bioluminescence

Glow sticks generate light with very little heat, just like the glow you see from fireflies, jellyfish, and a few species of fungi. Chemiluminescence means light that comes from a chemical reaction. When this happens in animals and plants, it’s called bioluminescence.

Materials:

 

 

Lesson 15: Undersea Creatures

Sponges, cnidarians, ctenophores, marine worms, molluscks, crustaceans, echinoderms, seahorses and sea dragons are a large part of what thrives in the ocean. These videos are courtesy of Mr. Paul Andersen, a science teacher in Bozeman, MT.




Lesson 16: Fish and Mammals

When you've completed all the lessons on this page, you're ready for Marine Biology 3!

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