The document describes the ocean food web. It shows how plankton are eaten by small fish and invertebrates, which are then eaten by larger fish, marine mammals, and birds. The largest predators like sharks sit at the top of the food chain. Energy and nutrients are transferred between these different trophic levels as organisms consume one another.

1. The “Immortal Jellyfish”
Scientific Name:Turritopsis Nutricula
Physical Characteristics:It is about 5 mm long when fully grown, and looks like a transparent parachute with
tentacles.
Feeding:This tiny creature feeds on even smaller zooplanktons and crustaceans, and other animals’ eggs and
larvae. They extend their tentacles and wait for food to touch them, and then bring the food to their mouth to
ingest it.
Movement:Turritopsis squeezes the water out of its umbrella (the parachute-like part) to propel itself forward.
However, this is not strong enough to withstand currents.
Methods of Gas Exchange: The cell layers of the jellyfish absorb oxygen from the water and expel carbon
dioxide. They have no respiratory organs.
Methods of Reproduction:Most jellyfish species die soon after reproducing, but Turritopsis is able to transform
from back into a polyp (jellyfish baby) by turning its umbrella inside out and absorbing its tentacles. Thisforms
a blob, which then settles on a hard surface,turns into a polyp, and slowly matures. This cycle can be repeated
infinitely, rendering it immortal. Incredibly, their cells are also completely transformed in this process
(“transdifferentiation”). Other animals can do limited transdifferentiation, such as lizards regrowing their tails,
but Turritopsis is the only animal to be able to regenerate its entire self.
Where it is found: Turritopsis originated in the Caribbean Sea, but has since then spread all over the world by
hitchhiking on ships. It is found in tropical to temperate regions. Because of its immortality, scientists believe
they are swarming the oceans.
Interesting Facts:
1) Like many other species of jellyfish, Turritopsis both eats and expels waste through its mouth.
2) It is the only known creature to be able to achieve immortality.
3) This fact was discovered when a student at the University of Lecce forgot to care for a Turritopsis
specimen, and everyone thought the jellyfish had died. Instead, it had just turned itself back to a polyp.
4) Jellyfish and other species that belong to the phylum Cnidaria separated from other animals half a
billion years ago, making them the most distantly related group on Earth.
5) Although Turritopsis can never die of old age, a very large number die from disease or predators.
Resources:
Picture Source:
http://academic.reed.edu/biology/courses/BIO342/2011_syllabus/2011_websites/eric_van_baak_site/index.
html
Information Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turritopsis_nutricula
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/4357829/Immortal-jellyfish-swarming-across-the-world.html
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/discoblog/2009/01/29/the-curious-case-of-the-immortal-jellyfish/
http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/only-immortal-animal-on-earth/20087
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidaria
http://www2u.biglobe.ne.jp/~moozoo41/benikenFiles/index05.html
http://www.glogster.com/magiz3/immortal-jellyfish/g-6lp7seuvkn6lo768h6jgia0
http://ryanbegleyonline.wordpress.com/2011/05/08/meet-the-methuselah-of-the-deep-sea/

2. Jelly Lover Science 8 Mr. Blanky Blank
Ocean Food Web
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Information Sources:
http://amap.no/acia/Files/MarineFoodWeb_150.jpg