Question 11 of 15 Which ocean zone is most habitable? \[ \begin{array}{l}\text { A. Bathypelagic } \\ \text { B. Hadalpelagic } \\ \text { C. Epipelagic } \\ \text { D. Abyssopelagic }\end{array} \]

To determine which ocean zone is most habitable, let's analyze the options provided: 1. **Epipelagic Zone (C)**: This is the uppermost layer of the ocean, extending from the surface down to about 200 meters. It is well-lit, allowing for photosynthesis, and supports a wide variety of marine life, including fish, plankton, and marine mammals. This zone is considered the most habitable due to the abundance of light and nutrients. 2. **Bathypelagic Zone (A)**: This zone extends from 200 meters to about 1,000 meters deep. It is dark and has limited light penetration, which reduces the number of organisms that can survive here. While some creatures do inhabit this zone, it is less habitable than the epipelagic zone. 3. **Abyssopelagic Zone (D)**: This zone ranges from about 4,000 meters to 6,000 meters deep. It is characterized by extreme darkness, cold temperatures, and high pressure. Life is sparse, and only specially adapted organisms can survive here. 4. **Hadalpelagic Zone (B)**: This is the deepest ocean zone, found in the trenches and deep-sea environments below 6,000 meters. It is the least habitable due to extreme conditions, including high pressure and low temperatures. Based on this analysis, the **Epipelagic Zone (C)** is the most habitable ocean zone due to its favorable conditions for life. Thus, the answer is: **C. Epipelagic**