holoplankton

[ hol-uh-plangk-tuhn, hoh-luh- ]

noun

1. plankton that spend their entire life cycle as free-swimming organisms ( hemiplankton ).

holoplankton

/ ˌhɒləˈplæŋktən /

noun

1. organisms, such as diatoms and algae, that spend all stages of their life cycle as plankton Compare meroplankton

holoplankton

/ hŏl′ə-plăngk′tən,hō′lə- /

1. Plankton that remains free-swimming through all stages of its life cycle.

Other Words From

• hol·o·plank·ton·ic [hol-oh-plangk-, ton, -ik, hoh-loh-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of holoplankton¹

holo- + plankton