Final answer:
The thermocline persists year-round in tropical oceans. The statement is b. False.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is b. False. Unlike the surface waters of temperate and polar regions, where the thermocline disappears during certain seasons, the thermocline persists year-round in tropical oceans. The thermocline is a zone of rapid temperature change that separates the warm, upper layer of water from the colder, deeper layer. This stability in the tropical thermocline allows for a more consistent environment for marine organisms.