Phytoplankton definition

fītō-plăngktən
Plankton that consists of minute plants and other photosynthetic organisms, including cyanobacteria, diatoms, and dinoflagellates.
noun
1
0
Plankton consisting of plants and algae.
noun
0
0
Plankton consisting of free-floating algae, protists, and cyanobacteria. Phytoplankton form the beginning of the food chain for aquatic animals and fix large amounts of carbon, which would otherwise be released as carbon dioxide.
0
0
Plankton which obtain energy by photosynthesis.
noun
0
0
Advertisement

Origin of phytoplankton

  • From phyto- +‎ plankton. From Ancient Greek φυτόν (phuton, “plant”) + πλαγκτόν (plankton), neuter of πλαγκτός (planktos, “wandering”). However, they are no longer classified as plants, so the terminology is showing a historical meaning.

    From Wiktionary

Phytoplankton Sentence Examples

  • As already described, ocean acidity may increase as phytoplankton (and increased marine organisms) decompose.

  • Marine phytoplankton - Rich in natural minerals and vitamins, it supports a healthy heart.

  • Other series of shorter length, carried out from the 1920s to the 1980s, measured dissolved nutrients, phytoplankton production and infaunal benthos.

  • In spring when the phytoplankton biomass increases and blooms the adult Cal fin begin to breed.

  • In the presence of sunlight, tiny plant species called phytoplankton use the nutrients to produce a greenish plant substance called chlorophyll.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near phytoplankton in the Dictionary