Question

What would you expect to find in the photic zone? How would you expect that to be different from the aphotic zone?

A. The photic zone contains abundant sunlight, supporting photosynthetic organisms, while the aphotic zone lacks sunlight.
B. The photic zone is a dark, cold environment, while the aphotic zone is well-lit and warm.
C. The photic zone contains deep-sea creatures, while the aphotic zone is home to surface-dwelling organisms.
D. The photic zone has low oxygen levels, while the aphotic zone is oxygen-rich.

Answer 1

The correct answer is option (a). Photosynthetic organisms are found in the photic zone where there is sufficient sunlight for photosynthesis. The aphotic zone lacks sunlight, so photosynthesis cannot occur there. Therefore, the photic zone supports a diverse range of photosynthetic life.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the ocean, the photic zone is characterized by abundant sunlight and extends to a maximum depth of about 200 meters below the surface, which allows photosynthesis to occur.

This zone supports a wide variety of photosynthetic organisms, such as algae, which are primary producers in the ocean food web. In contrast, the aphotic zone begins where the photic zone ends and extends to greater depths, exceeding 200 meters.

In this region, sunlight is too scarce for photosynthesis, and as a result, organisms may rely on chemosynthesis or food drifting down from the photic zone.

The correct answer to the question related to these concepts is as follows: You would expect to find photosynthetic organisms in the photic zone, the intertidal zone, the neritic zone, and the oceanic zone.

Hence, the correct option is B. The aphotic zone does not support photosynthetic life due to insufficient sunlight, which rules out options A, C, and D.