Comprehensive Report: Biological Evolution in the Ocean Systems

This report provides a detailed analysis of biological evolution in the ocean, covering the historical and geological origins of marine life, including microscopic life, plants & algae, invertebrates, fungi, and vertebrates. It emphasizes the importance of evaluating various types of evidence such as fossil records, the Panspermia theory, chemical theories, and biochemical/molecular biology progressions, including Miller and Urey's experiment and hydrothermal vents. The report further discusses the classification of marine life forms and their relevance to marine conservation processes and projects. It examines marine food webs, trophic levels, and the role of producers, consumers, and decomposers in sustaining marine life. Finally, the report explores marine adaptation strategies and their role in maintaining viability within a range of marine species.

BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION
IN THE OCEAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Historical and geological origins of marine life.....................................................................1
Importance of evaluating evidence.........................................................................................2
The way marine life forms replicate and their classification.................................................4
Relevance of classification to marine conservation processes and projects...........................5
Marine food webs, and their role in sustaining marine life forms..........................................5
Importance of marine food webs in conservation processes..................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
Marine adaptation strategies related to maintenance of viability...........................................8
Evolution of adaptive strategies in development within a range of marine species.............10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Biological evolution can be described as the genetic change in population that inherited
in generation. It includes the characters which are transferred to one generation to another and
data transmitted is encoded by genetic material (DNA). Evolution can be divided into two
sections such as micro and macro evolution as well (Chandra, 2015). Factors that are considered
as career of trait are known as genes or more specifically called as alleles. Evolution is a kind of
scientific theory which was proposed by Charles Darwin. It provided several explanations and
predictions for naturally occurring phenomenon based on observations or experimentations.
Biological evolution in ocean refers to genetic change into marine animals. This assignment will
discuss about geological origin of marine life and importance of evaluating evidences. It includes
classification to marine conservation process and projects. There are various types of marine
strategies discussed in the report which are relevant to maintain viability.
TASK 1
Historical and geological origins of marine life
Marine geology deals with study of history and structure of ocean including various
marine living beings who are surviving this habitat in different geological areas. In involve
several process such as geophysical, geochemical, sediment-al and palaeontological
investigations on ocean floor and coastal zone (Wallis, 2014).
There are various kinds of components which has an essential role in origin of marine
life. It includes several factors such as microscopic life, plants & algae, invertebrates, fungi,
vertebrates etc. These components have different types of sub factors. Microscopic life includes
certain microbes who are surviving in marine habitat and responsible for driving changes in
global system. These microbial living beings are necessary to the phenomenon of photosynthesis
which occurs in oceans (Herrera, 2018). They are also helpful in many other procedures like
cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrients and other trace elements. Plants and algae are
essential in marine habitat as they provides hiding place to larval forms of larger forms of larger
fishes and foraging area of invertebrates. Invertebrates are considered as those marine animals
which are usually covers greater portion of sea and they includes Cnidaria such as jellyfish and
sea anemones like Ctenophora, sea worms that involves several creatures like phyla
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Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Annelida, Sipuncula, Echiura, Chaetognatha, etc. (Olah, Mathew
and Prakash, 2016).
Now, discussing about fungi in marine habitat, the it is observed that there are overall
15000 species of fungi are analysed in this environment these are generally parasitic on mariner
algae or animals or they can be considered as saprobes fort algae, corals, sea grasses, wood,
protozoan cysts etc. At last, vertebrates that includes fish, reptiles, birds and mammals (Saitta
and Saija, 2014).
Importance of evaluating evidence
There are various type of evidences that are utilised by scientists for studying about
evolution and evaluate their importance as well. These factors re essential because they provide
evidence of past related living creatures. Some of them are given below:
Fossil records can be described as information which are gained through studying fossil
fuels. In some cases hard parts of organism are preserved (McCauley and et.al, 2018). Fossil
records provide information regarding progressive changes in animals. These fossils record
provide detail about age to strata in which they occur. These records show history of life over a
period of time.
Panspermia theory is another kind of evidence of origin of life that states that seeds of
life exists in entire universe and it can be propagated from one location to another easily. These
seed give birth to life on earth (Graham and et.al, 2017). This theory is all about origin of life
which suggests that life is presented on planet and it is moved to earth. This model explains that
7.5% rocks reach to Earth from Mars. They travel between 100 years to 16000 years. Once seeds
arrive ion Earth from the space safely then they become protein and then turn eventually into
life. They grow in the warm ocean and get developed.
Chemical theories: There are several theories that describe about origin of life through
chemical components (Breviglieri and Romero, 2017). Life arisen is the natural process in which
one organic component arises from non-living element and turn into living thing. This model
states that accumulation of organize molecules occur which gives birth to life. These molecules
are such as amino acid, nucleotides etc.
Biochemical and molecular biology progressions: This concept describes extraordinary
machinery process in which molecular proceeds from DNA to protein through RNA. It works as
intermediary (Turney and Buddle, 2018). RNA is the medium that stores genetic information and
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chemical components in primitive cells that assist in giving birth to living thing. Biochemical
evidence are in the form of molecules. These molecules are different in fungus and bacteria but
sometimes, they look like same (Hussey and et.al, 2014).
Miller and Urey experiment describes origin of life in marine. This experiment has
provided evidences about life. This explained that organic molecules are essential for origin of
life. In 1953 Miller a Urey have tested Oparin and Haldane's ideas. They have built a close
system which contains heated pool of water and mixture of gases. They have sent sparks of
electricity for fulfilling requirement of energy for chemical reactions (Cooper, 2017). This
experiment has found that with this procedure many organic molecules such as amino acid, sugar
formed. But this experiment was unable to produce DNA and other complex molecules. From
this experiment it is found that some life building blocks can be formed on earth and it can give
birth to the life.
Illustration 1: Miller and Urey experiment
(Source: Hypothesis about the origins of life, 2017)
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Hydrothermal vents related to species discovery is another kind of evidence that
describe about origin of life. These hydrothermal vents have many components that can live in
own vent ecosystem (McKinley and et.al, 2018). These vents can supply gaseous components
like CO2, nitrogen etc. that are helpful in forming molecules. Life arose in warn water within
rocky structures which is known as hydrothermal vents.
The way marine life forms replicate and their classification
The transaction from non-living to living things is the gradual process that describes
combination of molecular, biochemistry that supports in giving rise to life. Original of marine
life is much more based on liquids, carbohydrates, carbon, amino acid, etc. (Panspermia Theory,
2018). Experiment of Miller and Urey explains that there are several essential components such
as amino acids, protein that exist in all living organisms. These components can easily be
synthesized from inorganic components under specific conditions. This supports in replication of
life on earth. There are several external sources such as energy, light, radiation etc. that supports
in self replication.
There are several organisms that exist in marine environment. These are classified as
below:
 Bacteria: These are such organism that contains single cell and can be reproduce by
splitting into two. Bacteria live in marine water, they provide nutrients for the
phytoplankton (Hypothesis about the origins of life, 2017).
 Protozoans: They are also single celled organism but these are larger than bacteria.
 Chromists: They are small size organisms that use different kinds of chlorophyll.
 Fungi: there are limited number of fungi live in marine water, these organisms are unable
to make their own food.
 Plants: They are multi cellular organism, they are capable for photosynthesis. This
process help them in producing food. In this photosynthesis process plants use sunlight in
order to produce food (Marine food webs, 2017). There are several kinds of plants that
present in marine environment such as ell grass, mangroves etc.
 Animals: they are multicellular organism, Jellyfish, sea spider, bryozoans, fish etc. live
in marine water and they have to be depended on other for food.
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Relevance of classification to marine conservation processes and projects
Marine conservation can be defined as protection and preservation of marine ecosystem
in ocean. Many time due to human activities marine ecosystem gets damaged, through marine
conservation process vulnerable species are being preserved (Migration and Movement Patterns
(marine mammals), 2017). Marine conservation process has high relevance with the project.
Cell structure and function of marine animals help them in protecting themselves from
changing ecosystem conditions. Self-replication mechanism aids in adapting in new environment
and fulfilling needs of survival. As each animals come under specific kingdom, phylum,
subphylum, class, order, suborder, family, genus, species. These grouping makes them able to
protect themselves from changing environmental situations (Chandra, 2015).
Marine food webs, and their role in sustaining marine life forms
Food web is the complex network through which one marine animal gets food from
others. Marine food web includes sponges, corals, fishes, whales, seals, seabirds etc. These all
marine animals have feeding relationship with each other. This food web show inter connection
between producers, consumers and decomposers (Wallis, 2014). Marine food web describes that
all living organisms are depended upon each other for their survival. This interrelationship
develops a food chain. Phytoplankton are considered as primary producers that suspended into
water. They use nutrients through photosynthesis process. Phytoplankton biomass works as
primary food for the other marine species such as zooplankton etc.
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Illustration 2: Marine food webs
(Source: Marine food webs, 2017)
Trophic levels
Food web organism are divided into trophic levels. First level is made up iof producer, 2nd
level is made up of consumers. Food web has basic trophic level across the world. Species those
come under this level are different in each are (Olah, Mathew and Prakash, 2016).
Primary producers
They are the most important part of marine food web, they produce their food by own.
They are also known as autotrophics. These producers take support of sun energy and convert it
into food energy through photosynthesis. Phytoplankto are primary producer of food in marine
environment. Other producers are such as seaweeds, seagrasses, etc.
Consumers
They are also known as heterotrophic, these are such species those which are unable to
make their own food (McKinley and et.al, 2018). They absorb dissolved organic material in
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water. These consumers are of two types: herbivores and carnivores. Zooplankton is the
herbivores consumer, they consumer phytoplankton. They are further eaten by carnivorous of 1st
level such as Juvenile stage animals such as fish, jellyfish etc. At the top level predators are
existed such as shark, dolphins (Saitta and Saija, 2014). Albatross is considered as essential
predator which exist at the top of marine food web. Human being are also at top level in the food
chain because they also eat these animals.
Decomposers
Decomposers are presented at trophic level. This includes bacteria etc. Decomposers
support to producers in releases nutrients.
Primary producers are such as plants, algae, phytoplankton etc. Primary consumers are
such as oysters, Copepods, shrimp etc. Secondary consumers eat primary consumers these are
such as lobster, humpback, etc. (Cooper, 2017). Tertiary consumers are such species those eat
secondary consumers such as shark, dolphin. Apex predator are such marine animals that at exist
at top of food chain such as shark etc. Decomposers are organisms that break down dead plants
and release it into energy and nutrients.
Role of marine food web
Marine food web plays significant role in the marine ecosystem. This helps each level of
species in getting adequate amount of food (McKinley and et.al, 2018). By this way, species
those which are unable to make their food can get eating material easily by eating other
creatures. This also helps in maintaining balance in marine environment. By this way issue of
increasing specific number of species will not take place and each involved species will be able
to fulfil its responsibility towards marine ecosystem.
Importance of marine food webs in conservation processes
Food web system in marine environment is considered as powerful element in order to
manage complex ecosystem (Herrera, 2018). All species have their own importance in this food
chain system. There is interrelationship between producers, consumers, predators etc. By going
through this food web procedure information about vulnerable species can be gathered. This
assist in implementing effective strategies so that these creatures can be protected for longer
duration and balance can be maintain in marine ecosystem. There are many aquatic animals
those who are eaten by big animals such as dolphin or shark. In such condition number of small
species those which produce food or nutrition can get reduced (Hussey and et.al, 2014). Thus,
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large species do not get adequate amount of food which impact on their living. This food web
system assists in managing ecosystem and conservation of marine species.
TASK 2
Marine adaptation strategies related to maintenance of viability
Change in climate situations, human activities impact on overall marine ecosystem to
great extent. All these things are threatened to the ocean and marine communities. There are
several adaption strategies that can support in maintaining viability (Migration and Movement
Patterns (marine mammals), 2017). These are explained as below:
Migration
It is one of the best marine adaptation strategy in which species those which are at high
risk can be migrant to other oceans. If number of sharks have been increased then migration will
help in conservation of marine species and will support in maintaining viability. The most
effective strategy to protect people is that to move these animals from one location to other
where they can live easily for longer duration (Hypotheses about the origins of life, 2017). In this
migration process energy allocation is being done in order to support movement so that they can
meet with their reproductive needs. There are many marine mammals those which live in these
water for feeding, breeding etc. But due to climate change and human activities they get failed to
fulfil their desires. In such condition they have to move towards other water where they can
resolve all these things and can easily fulfil their desires. For example Whales is the species
those which adopt this adaptation strategy, these whales spend their most of the time on
productive feeding grounds in summers and then they migrate to calving grounds in winters.
Because warm water helps them in breeding (Panspermia Theory, 2018). This migration allows
species in energy allocation and storing of foods in different seasons. That helps them in
reproduction time.
Locomotion
It is another kind of marine adaptation strategy that is applied by variety of animals to
move from one place to another. They can swim, jump, hope etc. For example marine animals
highly depended upon their environment thus, they move in other location through various
modes such as sailing (Jellyfish), kiting (Spiders) etc. Locomotion is effective strategy that assist
in survival of marine species (McKinley and et.al, 2018). Aquatic environment gets changed in
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every season, in such condition it becomes essential for the species that to adapt changes.
Aquatic mobility is main requirement of these animals. For that they use their locomotory
structure or organs in order to adapt changes. To match with environmental demands various
marine habitats such as sea turtles etc. adopt locomotion patterns (Turney and Buddle, 2018).
Diet and foraging
Body size of marine mammals is different from others. Phytoplankton and zooplankton
have large size which affect their productivity. Diet of marine species are adapt changes and
capture their pray. But due to changes in demographic factor their diet and foraging behaviour
gets changed (McCauley and et.al, 2018). Changes in diet schedule and foraging features can
support these mammals in adopting changes and easily living under the water.
Respiration
Aquatic respiration is considered as the process of obtaining oxygen in the water by
aquatic mammals. For that mammals reduced drag and modify appendages for maximal
propulsion. Many marine animals have gills that support them in respiration (Herrera, 2018).
These gills provide support to fishes in obtaining oxygen and blood supply.
Osmoregulation and thermoregulation
Marine animals can take support of osmoregulation in order to maintain water balance in
their body. They reduce cutaneous and respiratory evaporative water loss so that they can drink
sea water and can maintain balance. Aquatic mammals excrete nitrogenous wastes. Terrestrial
animals adopt new strategy in which they reduce permeability of skin by adding layers of liquid
(Breviglieri and Romero, 2017). These strategies help them in living in marine water for longer
duration and accepting adaptation.
Reproduction (oviparity, ovoviviparity, viviparity)
Oviparous animals are such creatures in which reproduction held through eggs. Female
hold eggs in their body and after incubation they give birth to new life. Viviparous animals are
such mammals in which embryos gets developed in womb of mother and after particular time
children takes birth (Hussey and et.al, 2014). Ovoviviparous animals develops eggs in female
body. This internal reproduction system protect animals and they get adapted in the new
environment. Fishes are viviparous animals in which internal fertilization system occur. This is
adaptation strategy that protect new species, they get food from mother's body and they get
adapted in the new environment.
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Evolution of adaptive strategies in development within a range of marine species
All these adaption strategies are effective enough because this develops Sensory system
adaptations system of all aquatic mammals (Chandra, 2015). By this, they can sense changes and
can move to other location. This supports them in living longer life in marine water. This sensory
adaption allows animals in detecting changes in the environment and receiving stimulation in
order to survive in new environment.
Secondary adaptation includes structural, behaviour, psychological adaptation.
Whenever changes occur in marine ecosystem then aquatic mammals can make changes in their
feeding, locomotion, osmoregulation system to get adapt in new environment (Hypotheses about
the origins of life, 2017). This protect them from changing atmosphere and they can survive in
this water for longer duration.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it can be concluded that marine food web plays a significant role
in maintaining balance in marine ecosystem as each animal is dependent on others for food.
There are producers, consumers and decomposers; they all fulfil the needs of each other. Each
aquatic species have specific characteristics such as locomotion structure, respiration system, etc.
that assist in surviving in dynamic environment. Migration allows species in energy allocation
and storing of foods in different seasons.
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