Marine Biology Overview

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What is marine biology?

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The study of organisms that live in the sea, including all water with some degree of salinity, like estuaries at river mouths.

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Is marine biology a separate science?

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No, it is an applied field of biology that incorporates many other sciences such as geology, chemistry, physics, meteorology, zoology, and botany.

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What do marine biologists study?

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Marine biologists study the organisms that inhabit the sea.

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What do oceanographers study?

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Oceanographers mainly study the physical (non-living) aspects of the ocean, including tides, currents, waves, and the chemical make-up of seawater.

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Why is studying marine life important?

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Studying marine life can provide clues about early life on earth, as life is believed to have arisen in the sea.

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What products come from the sea?

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Food, medicines derived from marine species, food resources, and other items used for human use.

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How do marine organisms benefit the environment?

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Marine organisms produce oxygen used by all kinds of organisms, including humans.

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How do oceans help regulate climate?

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Water is slow to change in temperature, keeping coastal land masses more stable year-round.

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What evidence shows early human use of the sea?

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Clam shells approximately 165,000 years old have been discovered in a cave previously inhabited by humans in Africa.

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Who were some early explorers of the sea?

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Pacific Islanders, Phoenicians, and Ancient Greeks, including Aristotle.