The Great Plankton Race
Photic Zone: The depth of water in a lake or ocean that is exposed to sufficient sunlight to photosynthesis. Plankton: Small organisms that float or drift in great numbers in bodies of salt or fresh water; a primary food source for many animals, and consists of bacteria, protozoans, algae, cnidarians, tiny crustaceans such as copepods, and many other organisms. Benthic: Non-floating plankton; these plankton do not float in the water- instead they live attached to or on top of a solid surface like rocks, plants, sediment, even a single grain of sand; planktonic diatoms are typically pennate, or not round- this is the most common type of diatom to find in a lake. Planktonic: Floating in the water column; planktonic diatoms are typically centric, or round. Phytoplankton: A type of plankton that relies on photosynthesis. This group is comprised mostly of single-celled algae, diatoms, and bacteria. Zooplankton: A type of plankton that feeds on phytoplankton. Adaptations: Any physical or behavioral trait that allows an organism to better survive in its environment. Cilia: Hair-like extensions found on ciliates, a type of plankton, to help them move and catch food. Flagella: Tails found on dianoflagellates, a type of plankton. Surface area: The total area of all of the faces and curved surface of a solid object. Density: Mass per unit of volume; a measure of the relative "heaviness" of objects. Micron: A unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter. This is the unit used to measure plankton size. Conversion formulas: microns=1000x mm; millimeters=microns x 0.001. |
Adaptation/Reason
Legs: to move/ to catch phytoplankton. Cilia: movement. Antenna: avoid predation. Eyes: to see. Swim bladder: to control buoyancy. Wings: like a parachute. Thin-skin: to stay afloat. Translucency: to stay afloat. Questions What are plankton? The small and microscopic organisms drifting or floating in the sea or fresh water. What do plankton eat? Plankton feed on other plankton in the marine world and on plant materials but can also make their food through photosynthesis. What is the difference between phytoplankton and zooplankton? Zooplankton is an animal, while phytoplankton is a plant. Why are phytoplankton important? They produce much of the oxygen we breathe and are the base of the marine food chain. Where would they want to hang out? They live near the surface of the ocean because they need sunlight like all green plants. |