Plankton Review Warm-up

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What is Zooplankton?

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Zooplankton are small, often microscopic animals that drift in water and feed on phytoplankton and other small organisms.

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What is Phytoplankton?

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Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in water and use photosynthesis to produce energy.

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What is the difference between Phytoplankton and Zooplankton?

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Phytoplankton are autotrophic organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis, while Zooplankton are heterotrophic and consume other organisms.

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What is Heterotroph?

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A heterotroph is an organism that cannot synthesize its own food and relies on other organisms for nourishment.

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What is Autotroph?

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An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food from inorganic substances, typically through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

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What is Meroplankton?

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Meroplankton are organisms that are planktonic for only part of their life cycle, such as the larval stages of many marine animals.

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What is the role of Phytoplankton in the ecosystem?

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Phytoplankton are primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, forming the base of the food web and producing oxygen through photosynthesis.

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What is the significance of Zooplankton in marine food webs?

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Zooplankton serve as a crucial food source for larger marine animals, including fish and whales, thus playing a key role in marine food webs.

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What are some examples of Phytoplankton?

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Examples of phytoplankton include diatoms, dinoflagellates, and cyanobacteria.

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What are some examples of Zooplankton?

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Examples of zooplankton include copepods, krill, and jellyfish larvae.