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Deep-Sea Creatures

CONCEPTUAL
Science›Ocean Life|Ages 9—11|ID: mt_dRCnJEIwk4

Explore life in the deep sea: animals that make their own light (bioluminescence), creatures adapted to crushing pressure and total darkness, and hydrothermal vents where life thrives without sunlight

Mastery Evidence

  • Define bioluminescence as the ability of some deep-sea creatures to produce their own light
  • Describe at least two adaptations deep-sea animals have for life in darkness and pressure
  • Explain that hydrothermal vents support life without sunlight through chemical energy

Assessment Prompt

“If [child] saw footage of glowing deep-sea creatures, could they explain how some animals make their own light and why life can exist even in the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean?”

Prerequisites3

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  • Ocean Animal Adaptations hard

    Deep sea adaptations extend general adaptation concept to extreme conditions

  • Ocean Depth Zones hard

    Deep sea life builds on knowing ocean zones, especially the midnight zone

  • The Ocean Floor soft

    Deep sea life lives on the ocean floor; terrain knowledge enriches understanding

    • What Is the Ocean? hard

      Ocean floor concept requires knowing the ocean is vast and deep

    • Ocean Depth Zones soft

      Ocean floor is the bottom of the deepest zone; zone knowledge enriches it

Unlocks2