Reference no: EM131875944
1. Consider the formation of the earth and the creation of its structure including the solid earth, ocean and atmosphere in an essay format. The discussion should include planetary formation, the reasons and consequences of the initial molten state, and the formation and chemical evolution of the ocean and atmosphere. Use appropriate references.
2. Discuss in an essay the current views concerning the origin of life on our planet. Cover the debate on the process and possible sites where life was first formed. Consider the strengths and weaknesses behind each of the possible origins. How are the first and second laws of thermodynamics applied to the origin of life and evolutionary dynamics? Provide appropriate references.
3. Discuss the mechanisms for plate motion. Include an analysis of the issues behind each of the possible mechanisms and support for the one that seems to be most probable. Give current references regarding this problem in earth science.
4. What is the difference between freshwater lakes and oceans in terms of the formation of surface ice? Consider the sequence of events as both cool in the fall and winter.
What does this tell us about the bottom temperature in lakes? What events occur in lakes during the fall and spring? Does the ocean behave the same way? The oceans are observed to only have sea ice in regions with a strong near surface halocline that isolates the deep ocean from the fresh polar or winter waters. Discuss the reasons behind this observation.
5.
a)Discuss the challenges for terrestrial animals going back to live in the sea. Give some examples of organisms that have returned to the sea and the specific adaptations that have allowed this transition. Discuss the evolutionary advantages for returning to the sea. How do the bioenergetics of these organisms change?
b) Marine organisms gain fluid typically from the surrounding water if it is too fresh, yet bull sharks are found upstream in the Mississippi and Zambezi Rivers and in Lake Nicaragua. How do they cope with the osmotic change? Specifically discuss the physiology involved in this situation and its energy cost.