1. Biological Classification

2. The diversity of marine life The ocean is home to a wide variety of organisms Marine organisms range from microscopic bacteria and algae to the largest animal in the world (blue whale) Number of known marine species: 250,000

3. Classification of living things Organisms can be classified into one of three domains of life: Archaea Bacteria Eukarya

4. Classification of living things Organisms can also be classified into one of five kingdoms: Monera Protoctista (Protista) Fungi Plantae Animalia

5. Classification of living things Taxonomic classification includes the following increasingly specific groupings: Kingdom Phylum (Division for plants) Class Order Family Genus Species

6. Taxonomic classification of selected organisms CategoryHumanKiller whaleGiant kelp KingdomAnimalia Protoctista PhylumChordata Phaeophyta Subphylum Vertebrata ClassMammalia Phaeophycae OrderPrimatesCetaceaLaminariales FamilyHominidaeDelphinidaeLessoniaceae GenusHomoOrcinusMacrocystis Speciessapiensorcapyrifera

7. Classification of marine organisms Marine organisms can be classified into one of three groups based on habitat and mobility: 1. Plankton (floaters) Phytoplankton (drifting plants and algae) Zooplankton (drifting animals) 2. Nekton (swimmers) 3. Benthos (bottom dwellers)

8. Plankton: Examples PhytoplanktonZooplankton

9. Nekton: Examples

10. Benthos: Examples

11. Life cycle of a squid Squid experience benthic, planktonic, and nektonic stages Squid are considered meroplankton (opposite = holoplankton)

12. Distribution of species on Earth The land has more species because it has greater environmental variability than the ocean Most ocean species are benthic because of greater environmental variability compared to pelagic environments

13. Zones in the Ocean

14. Divisions of the marine environment Main divisions: Pelagic (open sea) Benthic (sea bottom)