A food chain symbolizes the path of energy within an ecosystem: Primary producers such as green plants translate solar energy into carbohydrates, which are then tapped by primary and secondary consumers and ultimately recycled by decomposers. Each tier represents a different *trophic* level.
Marine biology. Marine biology is the scientific study of the plants, animals, and other organisms that live in the ocean. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather than on taxonomy.
Marine biology is an exciting field that focuses on biological life in the ocean. From microscopic algae to the 200-ton blue whale, marine biologists are concerned with all matters of oceanic matter. Colleges and universities offer several degree types in marine biology that lead to careers in the industry.