So you want to study marine biology?

Introduction to Marine Biology

Physical Oceanography – Waves, Tides, Ocean Circulation, Seawater, and Surfing?

Introduction to Marine Biology

Marine Biology - Species Diversity

Introduction to Marine Biology

Marine Biology – Habitats, Ecology, and Interaction with the environment

Introduction to Marine BiologyA few general concepts…

Evolution as the unifying theory of biology

Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection:

1. Genetic variation

2. Inheritance of variation by offspring

3. Natural selection – Selects for adaptations that enhance a) survival b) reproduction

Sources of Variation?

1. Mutations – most destructive, but…

2. Sexual reproduction -

Introduction to Marine BiologyA few general concepts…

The scientific method- How do things work?

Steps:

1. Observation

2. Hypothesis

3. Experiment

4. Conclusion

Tested hypothesis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Theory!!

Other things to consider:

1. Controls 2. Sample sizes

Atmospheric circulationDifferent parts of the earth are heated by the sun at different rates.

Equatorial regions are exposed to more direct sun light and are therefore heatedmore than the higher latitudes.

Atmospheric circulationNote that the differential heating of the equatorial regions relative to the polesresults in the temperature difference with latitude, but does not explain “seasons”.

Seasons are a function of the tilted axis of the earth...

Atmospheric circulation

What happens to air as it heats up or cools down?

A convection current is formed.

Atmospheric circulationSame thing happens to the earth!!

Atmospheric circulation

But things are not so simple on earth… the earth rotates… what is the effect of the rotation?

The Coriolis Effect - The tendency of any object moving freely across the globe toappear to curve to the right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

Reason? – has to do with differences in the cross-sectional circumference of the earth as a function of latitude…

Can you think of demonstrations to see how this might work?

Atmospheric circulationSo what is the result of the coriolis effect on the atmospheric circulation of the earth?

What other factors can you think of that would influence atmospheric circulation?

Atmospheric circulationWhat other factors can you think of that would influence atmospheric circulation?

There is a difference between the geographical equator and the meteorological equator.Since the meteorological equator is not constant (because of the seasons), the position ofThe intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) changes…

And don’t forget about the potential effect of land masses, storm systems, and otherfactors such as volcanoes, etc.

Atmospheric circulation

So although potentially variable, general patterns of atmospheric circulation are predictable.

Ocean circulation