KCC Biology Department BioLab 6 Exercise 1

BioLab 6 Exercise 1
Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents

Objectives:

To explore the biodiversity of deep sea hydrothermal vents.

To utilize the Internet as a tool to learn more about selected organisms indigenous to deep sea hydrothermal vents.

To submit answers in writing to your instructor based on your work.

Materials:

A computer.
Internet access through an Internet service provider (ISP), and a browser such as Netscape Navigator.®
A calculator.
Pen and paper.

Background:

Until the 1970's, it was believed that there were few life forms at the bottom of the deepest parts of the world ocean. After all, how could such a harsh environment sustain life? Unlike the beautifully lit shallow waters off of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean (see photo below), there is no sunlight. The water pressures are tremendous, the temperatures are terribly cold, and the mineral levels are toxic to terrestrial animals.
In 1977, scientists in the research submersible Alvin discovered deep sea hydrothermal vent communities near the Galapagos Islands. These vents spew plumes of hot water and particles from breaks in the ocean floor, hence the name "black smoker". These unique ecosystems are based on sulfur, not on sunlight. They depend on bacteria that are chemoautotrophs, organisms that use chemicals to produce their own food.
Hundreds of new species have been discovered in the vent communities: sulfur bacteria, giant tube worms, giant white clams, mussels, shrimp, crabs, fishes, Jericho worms, amphipods, siphonostomes (tiny flea-like copepods), limpets, urchins.
Go to the following web sites to read about (and see) the diverse organisms living in vent communities. Then return to this page.
Black Smokers and Giant Worms Plus More
Vent Molluscs
Life Forms - Tube Worms, Clams, Mussels
Vent Shrimp
Living at Extremes
Creatures of the Thermal Vents
Now go onto the Methods section to explore deep sea hydrothermal vents and the organisms that live there.

Methods:

Go to the Black Smokers web page at the American Museum of Natural History Expeditions web site.
Select the "Make a Black Smoker" location and follow the directions at the bottom of the page to create a black smoker. Then return to this page.
Go to the Black Smokers web page at the American Museum of Natural History Expeditions web site.
Select the "Take a Dive!" location and follow the directions to test your knowledge of black smokers and the life forms indigenous to them. Then return to this page.
Go to the Black Smokers web page at the American Museum of Natural History Expeditions web site.
Select the "Crossword Challenge" location and complete the puzzle. Submit your results to your instructor via email.

Additional Links:

Computer and Internet Ethics

Do not provide personal information online, nor strike up conversations with strangers in online chat rooms.
Do not violate copyright laws through illegal duplication of software, or through utilization of the original online work of others without proper citation, or permission,
Keep any and all passwords confidential.
When on the KCC or other Website networks, do not attempt accessing restricted areas which require codes or passwords. In addition to not being the right thing to do, you could be arrested.
When using your home computer, always scan newly downloaded software for viruses utilizing the antiviral programs that are part of your computer's utilities.