Plankton Assessment

Front

What are phytoplankton?

Back

Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in aquatic environments and are primary producers in the food web.

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What role do phytoplankton play in the ecosystem?

Back

Phytoplankton are producers that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the aquatic food chain.

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What are zooplankton?

Back

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

Front

How do phytoplankton and zooplankton differ in terms of abundance?

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There are more phytoplankton than zooplankton in aquatic ecosystems.

Front

What does the term 'plankton' refer to?

Back

Plankton refers to a diverse group of organisms that drift in water, including both phytoplankton and zooplankton.

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What are holoplankton?

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Holoplankton are organisms that spend their entire life cycle as plankton.

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What are meroplankton?

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Meroplankton are organisms that are planktonic only during a part of their life cycle, such as larvae of fish and invertebrates.

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What is the difference between plankton, nekton, and benthos?

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Plankton are organisms that drift in water, nekton are active swimmers, and benthos are organisms that live on the ocean floor.

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What are copepods?

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Copepods are small crustaceans that are a type of zooplankton and are considered plankton.

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What is the significance of plankton in marine ecosystems?

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Plankton are crucial for the marine food web, supporting larger organisms and contributing to nutrient cycling.