A Level Marine Science

All matter including our oceans is made up of tiny particles. These particles are known as atoms which join together to form molecules, ions and compounds. This topic introduces chemistry and particle theory. You will gain an understanding of how water can exist as a solid, liquid or gas. You will also look into the structure of the atom along with how atoms bond together through covalent and ionic bonding. This topic focuses on the water molecule where you will learn how hydrogen bonding forms and gives water unique properties. These properties support marine life and maintain ocean conditions.

• Particle theory and bonding
• Solubility in water
• Density and pressure

Earth processes shape the ocean floor, movement of sea water and formation of different marine habitats. You will begin this chapter by exploring tectonic processes including the internal structure of the earth. Plate tectonics are responsible for mid-ocean ridges, ocean trenches, hydrothermal vents and abyssal plains. They are also responsible for earthquakes and tsunamis. Weathering, erosion and sedimentation are processes that shape our coastlines. By understanding these processes you will see how different types of coastal environments form. Finally, you will look at tides and ocean currents. Winds, temperature differences and the earth’s rotation all drive ocean currents. Ocean currents are vital for mixing water globally and play a role in climate regulation.

• Tectonic processes
• Weathering, erosion and sedimentation
• Tides and ocean currents

This unit will cover the interaction between different organisms within the marine ecosystem. Interactions affect survival, energy transfer and nutrients. You will explore feeding relationships, producers and photosynthesis/chemosynthesis. You will also look into processes such as upwelling, decomposition and runoff.

• Interactions
• Feeding relationships
• Nutrient cycles

Classification systems are used to understand the variety of living organisms within the oceans. This topic will cover the classification of marine organisms along with the binomial naming system. You will then cover key groups of marine organisms. Animal groups such as echinoderms, crustaceans, bony fish and cartilaginous fish will be covered along with plankton, photosynthetic plankton and consumer plankton. You will look into biodiversity along with the benefits of marine biodiversity. Finally, you will examine populations and sampling techniques used to study organisms.

• The classification of marine organisms
• Key groups of marine organisms
• Biodiversity
• Populations and sampling techniques

The open ocean covers the largest area of the Earth’s surface and is connected as a single global ocean. The global ocean is divided into depth zones based on light and availability. This topic will cover tropical coral reefs and how they are formed by coral polyps living in a mutualistic relationship with photosynthetic zooxanthellae. You will also gain an understanding of the importance of coral reefs for biodiversity, coastal protection, food supply and tourism. This topic will also cover rocky shores, sandy shores and the mangrove forest. You will learn about the importance of protecting these ecosystems for marine life and human societies.

• The open ocean
• The tropical coral reef
• The rocky shore
• The sandy shore
• The mangrove forest

Physiology studies how living organisms function for example, gas exchange and water balance. In this topic you will cover cell structure along with the common features shared amongst marine organisms. You will also cover movement and substances across cell membranes along with diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis. The topic will also cover gas exchange in marine organisms and osmoregulation which is how organisms control the water content of their bodies.

• General cell structure
• Movement of substances
• Gas exchange
• Osmoregulation

Energy processes such as photosynthesis, chemosynthesis and respiration support marine food webs and life processes at every level. In this topic you will learn how light energy is absorbed by pigments in chloroplasts and converted. You will also gain an understanding of how light intensity, wavelength, carbon dioxide and temperature can limit the rate of photosynthesis. You will also cover chemosynthesis, a process where sunlight is absent. This will show that life within our oceans is not entirely dependent on sunlight. Finally, you will cover respiration which is the process by which organisms release energy to fuel life processes. You will cover the steps of how energy is released as ATP.

• Photosynthesis
• Chemosynthesis
• Respiration

This topic will cover the life cycles of marine organisms. Many marine animals have complex life cycles whereas mammals have simpler life cycles. You will cover metamorphosis, larval stages and the difference between sessile and non-sessile organisms. You will then look into sustainable fisheries and why it is important to manage fish stocks carefully. Finally, you will look at marine aquaculture. This is where marine organisms are grown within controlled systems.

• Life cycles
• Sustainable fisheries
• Marine aquaculture

Human activities such as pollution, resource extraction and changes to the atmosphere have an influence on the oceans. This topic will cover the ecological impacts of human activities. You will also cover bioaccumulation and biomagnification of toxins such as heavy metals, which can cause long-term damage to marine ecosystems. Other parts to this topic include global warming, ocean acidification and marine conservation.

• Ecological impacts of human activities
• Global warming and its impact
• Ocean acidification
• Conservation of marine ecosystems