9) Briefly describe the taxonomic groups of marine mammals. List the characteristics of each
group and name an organism that belongs to each taxonomic group.
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Section: 14.4 What Characteristics Do Marine Mammals Possess?
Essent’l Concept: 14.4 Differentiate between the main groups of marine mammals based on their
physical characteristics
OSLP: 5 The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
Global Sci Out: 8
10) Discuss the role of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in regulating commercial
whaling.
Answer: In 1946, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) was established in an effort to
manage the subsistence and commercial hunting of large whales. In 1986, the 72 nations that are
members of the IWC passed a ban on commercial whaling in order to allow whales to recover
from overhunting and to give researchers time to develop methods for assessing whale
populations. Today, the ban on whaling is still in effect, although some countries such as Japan,
Norway, and Iceland have killed more than 35,000 whales since the 1986 whaling moratorium.
Despite concerns about the practice of killing whales, some nations have proposed to end the ban
on whaling and establish annual whale kill quotas. The ban on killing whales can be reversed
only by a three-quarters majority vote of IWC member nations.
Diff: 2
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Remembering/Understanding
Section: 14.5 An Example of Migration: Why Do Gray Whales Migrate?
Essent’l Concept: 14.5 Demonstrate an understanding of why gray whales migrate
OSLP: 5 The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
Global Sci Out: 8
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14.4 Visual Questions
1)
All of the following are benefits of the adaptive behavior in the figure because it ________.
A) confuses predators by constantly changing positions of the fish within the school
B) makes the group of fish appear as one large unit
C) reduces the mortality rate for individuals within the school
D) reduces the probability that a predator will locate the prey species
E) confuses predators by constantly changing positions of the fish within the school, makes the
group of fish appear as one large unit, reduces the mortality rate for individuals within the
school, and reduces the probability that a predator will locate the prey species
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
Section: 14.3 What Adaptations Do Pelagic Organisms Possess to Avoid Being Prey?
Essent’l Concept: 14.3 Specify adaptations that pelagic organisms possess for avoiding being
prey
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2)
This marine mammal ________.
A) is a small mammal with dense fur and lack an insulating blubber layer
B) is a tropical herbivores found in shallow coastal waters
C) has anterior flippers covered with hair that cannot be rotated backwards
D) has posterior flippers than can be moved forward
E) has thick fur with hollow fur shafts for insulation
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
Section: 14.4 What Characteristics Do Marine Mammals Possess?
Essent’l Concept: 14.4 Differentiate between the main groups of marine mammals based on their
physical characteristics
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3)
Which of the following types of caudal fins is featured in the image?
A) Forked caudal fin
B) Heterocercal caudal fin
C) Lunate caudal fin
D) Rounded caudal fin
E) Truncate caudal fin
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
Section: 14.1 How Are Marine Organisms Able to Stay Above the Ocean Floor?
Essent’l Concept: 14.1 Compare the various methods by which marine organisms are able to
avoid sinking through the water column
OSLP: 5 The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
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4)
Which of the following types of caudal fins is featured in the image?
A) Forked caudal fin
B) Heterocercal caudal fin
C) Lunate caudal fin
D) Rounded caudal fin
E) Truncate caudal fin
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
Section: 14.1 How Are Marine Organisms Able to Stay Above the Ocean Floor?
Essent’l Concept: 14.1 Compare the various methods by which marine organisms are able to
avoid sinking through the water column
OSLP: 5 The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
65
5)
Which of the following types of caudal fins is featured in the image?
A) Forked caudal fin
B) Heterocercal caudal fin
C) Lunate caudal fin
D) Rounded caudal fin
E) Truncate caudal fin
Bloom’s Taxonomy: Applying/Analyzing
Section: 14.1 How Are Marine Organisms Able to Stay Above the Ocean Floor?
Essent’l Concept: 14.1 Compare the various methods by which marine organisms are able to
avoid sinking through the water column
OSLP: 5 The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
66