phytoplankton

[ fahy-tuh-plangk-tuhn ]

noun

1. the aggregate of plants and plantlike organisms in plankton.

phytoplankton

/ ˌfaɪtəˈplæŋktən; ˌfaɪtəplæŋkˈtɒnɪk /

noun

1. the photosynthesizing organisms in plankton, mainly unicellular algae and cyanobacteria Compare zooplankton

phytoplankton

/ fī′tō-plăngk′tən /

1. 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.

Derived Forms

• phytoplanktonic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phytoplankton¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; phyto- + plankton

Example Sentences

Domoic acid is a neurotoxin released by Pseudo-nitzschia, a common phytoplankton species found in coastal waters.

From Los Angeles Times

The researchers do not yet know how the phytoplankton and zooplankton have been affected by this.

From Science Daily

A study done by Oregon State University found that with the destruction of the kelp forests, migrating gray whales are losing weight and energy because kelp helps generate the phytoplankton the whales feed on.

From Los Angeles Times

The lake’s clarity stems from a lack of phytoplankton, the smelly, algae-like plants inhabiting many Northwest waters.

From Seattle Times

The basis of the marine food web in the Arctic, the phytoplankton, responds to heatwaves much differently than to constantly elevated temperatures.

From Science Daily