Final answer:
Surface currents and density currents affect the transfer of energy between the equator and the poles by distributing heat and influencing temperature variations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surface currents and density currents play a significant role in the transfer of energy between the equator and the poles. Surface currents, which are driven by wind patterns and the Coriolis effect, transport warm water from the equator to the poles and cold water from the poles to the equator. This helps distribute heat, making the equator warm and the poles cold. Density currents, on the other hand, are driven by differences in water density caused by temperature and salinity variations. These currents occur below the surface and aid in the vertical transfer of heat, further influencing the temperature distribution between the equator and the poles.