Definitions for phytoplankton
ˌfaɪ təˈplæŋk tənphy·to·plank·ton

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. phytoplanktonnoun

   photosynthetic or plant constituent of plankton; mainly unicellular algae

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. phytoplanktonnoun

   plankton which obtain energy by photosynthesis

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Phytoplankton

   Phytoplankton () are the autotrophic (self-feeding) components of the plankton community and a key part of ocean and freshwater ecosystems. The name comes from the Greek words φυτόν (phyton), meaning 'plant', and πλαγκτός (planktos), meaning 'wanderer' or 'drifter'.Phytoplankton obtain their energy through photosynthesis, as do trees and other plants on land. This means phytoplankton must have light from the sun, so they live in the well-lit surface layers (euphotic zone) of oceans and lakes. In comparison with terrestrial plants, phytoplankton are distributed over a larger surface area, are exposed to less seasonal variation and have markedly faster turnover rates than trees (days versus decades). As a result, phytoplankton respond rapidly on a global scale to climate variations. Phytoplankton form the base of marine and freshwater food webs and are key players in the global carbon cycle. They account for about half of global photosynthetic activity and at least half of the oxygen production, despite amounting to only about 1% of the global plant biomass. Phytoplankton are very diverse, varying from photosynthesizing bacteria to plant-like algae to armour-plated coccolithophores. Important groups of phytoplankton include the diatoms, cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates, although many other groups are represented.Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye. However, when present in high enough numbers, some varieties may be noticeable as colored patches on the water surface due to the presence of chlorophyll within their cells and accessory pigments (such as phycobiliproteins or xanthophylls) in some species.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. phytoplankton

   Phytoplankton are microscopic plant-like organisms that live in the ocean and freshwater environments. They are a type of free-floating algae that use photosynthesis to produce their own food from sunlight, absorbing nutrients from the water around them. They are a critical component of the aquatic food chain, serving as a primary food source for a variety of organisms. In addition to their role in the food chain, phytoplankton also play a critical role in the global carbon cycle, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

1. Phytoplankton

   Phytoplankton are the autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic component of the plankton community. The name comes from the Greek words φυτόν, meaning "plant", and πλαγκτός, meaning "wanderer" or "drifter". Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye. However, when present in high enough numbers, they may appear as a green discoloration of the water due to the presence of chlorophyll within their cells.

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Phytoplankton

   Free-floating minute organisms that are photosynthetic. The term is non-taxonomic and refers to a lifestyle (energy utilization and motility), rather than a particular type of organism. Most, but not all, are unicellular ALGAE. Important groups include DIATOMS; DINOFLAGELLATES; CYANOBACTERIA; CHLOROPHYTA; coccolithophorids; CRYPTOMONADS; and silicoflagellates.

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1. • Plant

How to pronounce phytoplankton?

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How to say phytoplankton in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of phytoplankton in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of phytoplankton in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of phytoplankton in a Sentence

1. Michael Behrenfeld:

   The features that jump out so clearly represent the influence of ocean eddies and physical stirring on the concentration of phytoplankton pigments and, possibly, colored dissolved organic matter.

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References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=phytoplankton
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Phytoplankton
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoplankton
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=phytoplankton