Plankton Assessment

Front

What is the base of a marine food web?

Back

Phytoplankton are the primary producers at the base of marine food webs, providing energy for higher trophic levels.

Front

What type of plankton uses photosynthesis?

Back

Phytoplankton are the type of plankton that perform photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy.

Front

What are nekton?

Back

Nekton refers to aquatic animals that can swim freely and are not dependent on water currents, such as sharks and fish.

Front

What process do phytoplankton rely on in the photic zone?

Back

Phytoplankton rely on photosynthesis, which requires sunlight to produce energy.

Front

What causes red tides?

Back

Red tides are caused by the rapid growth of certain dinoflagellates, which can produce toxins affecting marine life.

Front

Define phytoplankton.

Back

Phytoplankton are microscopic plants that live in aquatic environments and perform photosynthesis.

Front

Define zooplankton.

Back

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

Front

What is the photic zone?

Back

The photic zone is the upper layer of a body of water where sunlight penetrates, allowing photosynthesis to occur.

Front

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

Back

Plankton are organisms that drift in water, nekton are free-swimming organisms, and benthos are organisms that live on or in the ocean floor.

Front

What role do dinoflagellates play in marine ecosystems?

Back

Dinoflagellates are a type of phytoplankton that can cause harmful algal blooms, impacting marine life and water quality.