Yanac Bio 1A

An Ecological Look at Finding Nemo

After viewing Pixar’s “Finding Nemo”, please answer the following questions.

1. In what ecosystem did the movie take place?

2. We talked about the different parts of this ecosystem. What part was the setting for the first part of the movie?

(These areas are highly diverse and support many species of organisms.)

3. What type of fish are Marlin and Nemo AND where did they live?

4. What part of the ecosystem was referred to as the “drop off”?

5. What were 2 of the 3 sharks that Marlin and Dory encountered? (Not their movie names but their real

scientific names)

6. Fish are friends, not food” indicated that these sharks wanted to change the way that they get their energy from

being a(n) _______________ to being a(n) _________________. (Carnivore, Omnivore, Detritivore, Herbivore)

7. Dory and Marlin followed the mask into a very deep part of the ocean called a ____________. This area is in

the ___________ zone and there is no sunlight penetration and is permanently dark.

8. Some very unusual creatures live at these depths. Explain how the fish that Dory & Marlin encountered hunted

in this area without light.

9. Although a school of fish cannot make images or play charades, they still swim in unison and this is

particularly useful for confusing a predator. They warned of swimming through rather than over the

structures to avoid the jellyfish. Explain how jellyfish attack and where, if any, is a safe place to touch them.

10. The EAC (Eastern Australian Current) is a water current that exists in the southern hemisphere. What is the

name of a similar current in the northern hemisphere?

11. Give an example of the following:

a. Commensalism

b. Mutualism

c. Predator-Prey

d. Invertebrate

e. Reptile

f. Bird

g. Mammal

12. What was the joke that Marlin was trying to tell throughout the movie?

13. Additional comments or comparisons?