Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the three criteria for algae to be considered phytoplankton?
What are the three criteria for algae to be considered phytoplankton?
Use chlorophyll a in photosynthesis, be microscopic, and be single-celled or colonial (a group of single-cells).
What are the three major roles played by phytoplankton in the ecosystem?
What are the three major roles played by phytoplankton in the ecosystem?
Climate control, oxygen supply, and food production.
What is the role of phytoplankton in the oceanic food web?
What is the role of phytoplankton in the oceanic food web?
Phytoplankton make up the foundation of the oceanic food web as primary producers, which are essential for the survival of all other organisms in the food web.
What is the byproduct of the photosynthetic process in phytoplankton?
What is the byproduct of the photosynthetic process in phytoplankton?
How do phytoplankton help regulate inorganic carbon in the atmosphere?
How do phytoplankton help regulate inorganic carbon in the atmosphere?
What are the factors that influence phytoplankton productivity?
What are the factors that influence phytoplankton productivity?
What is the biological pump and how does it relate to phytoplankton?
What is the biological pump and how does it relate to phytoplankton?
How do phytoplankton populations fluctuate seasonally?
How do phytoplankton populations fluctuate seasonally?
What method can be used to measure phytoplankton concentrations?
What method can be used to measure phytoplankton concentrations?
What does a high chlorophyll measurement indicate?
What does a high chlorophyll measurement indicate?
Why is nutrient scarcity a significant factor affecting phytoplankton growth and populations?
Why is nutrient scarcity a significant factor affecting phytoplankton growth and populations?
What is the role of phytoplankton in providing food for marine organisms?
What is the role of phytoplankton in providing food for marine organisms?
What is the primary role of phytoplankton in marine ecosystems?
What is the primary role of phytoplankton in marine ecosystems?
What is the defining characteristic that determines an organism as plankton?
What is the defining characteristic that determines an organism as plankton?
How many species of phytoplankton (PHY) are estimated to exist?
How many species of phytoplankton (PHY) are estimated to exist?
What is the significance of the presence of chlorophyll in phytoplankton?
What is the significance of the presence of chlorophyll in phytoplankton?
What does the term 'plankton' mean in Greek?
What does the term 'plankton' mean in Greek?
What is the size classification scheme for plankton based on?
What is the size classification scheme for plankton based on?
Where can phytoplankton be found?
Where can phytoplankton be found?
What is the minimum size at which phytoplankton colonies can be visible to the human eye?
What is the minimum size at which phytoplankton colonies can be visible to the human eye?
What is the primary source of nutrients and energy for marine animals?
What is the primary source of nutrients and energy for marine animals?
What is the role of phytoplankton in the oceanic food web?
What is the role of phytoplankton in the oceanic food web?
What method is used to classify the full range of plankton into seven categories?
What method is used to classify the full range of plankton into seven categories?
What is the origin of the word 'plankton'?
What is the origin of the word 'plankton'?
What is the primary source of nutrients and energy for marine animals?
What is the primary source of nutrients and energy for marine animals?
How many species of Phytoplankton are there?
How many species of Phytoplankton are there?
What is the origin of the word 'plankton'?
What is the origin of the word 'plankton'?
What is the defining characteristic of plankton?
What is the defining characteristic of plankton?
What is the minimum requirement for conducting photosynthesis in PHY?
What is the minimum requirement for conducting photosynthesis in PHY?
Where can PHY be found?
Where can PHY be found?
What is the classification scheme for plankton based on?
What is the classification scheme for plankton based on?
What does the plankton chart demonstrate?
What does the plankton chart demonstrate?
What is the number of species of planktonic algae floating in water all over the world?
What is the number of species of planktonic algae floating in water all over the world?
What are PHY and what is their size range?
What are PHY and what is their size range?
What is the role of PHY, seaweeds, and plants in the marine ecosystem?
What is the role of PHY, seaweeds, and plants in the marine ecosystem?
What is the significance of the word 'plankton' in relation to the organisms it represents?
What is the significance of the word 'plankton' in relation to the organisms it represents?
Study Notes
Microalgae/Phytoplankton
- Microalgae are unicellular algae visible only through microscopes.
- Phytoplankton (PHY) are autotrophic, free-floating, mostly unicellular microalgae that form the primary source of nutrients and energy for marine animals.
Characteristics of Phytoplankton
- There are approximately 5000 species of PHY.
- PHY can be found in both fresh and saltwater.
- They contain at least one form of chlorophyll (chlorophyll a) and can conduct photosynthesis.
- PHY can grow in colonies large enough to be seen by the human eye, such as algal blooms.
Classification of Plankton
- Plankton is classified into seven categories based on size, with each category spanning one to two orders of magnitude.
- The term "plankton" comes from the Greek for "drifter" or "wanderer," referring to organisms carried by tides and currents.
Importance of Phytoplankton
- Microscopic phytoplankton play crucial roles in climate control, oxygen supply, and food production.
- They form the foundation of the oceanic food web, providing organic carbon for all living organisms.
Oceanic Food Web
- Phytoplankton are primary producers, supporting the entire food web.
- They are consumed by zooplankton and small marine organisms, which are then consumed by larger marine organisms, up to apex predators.
Oxygen Production
- Phytoplankton produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, responsible for approximately half of the oxygen in the ocean and atmosphere.
Carbon Fixation and Climate
- Phytoplankton help regulate inorganic carbon in the atmosphere through carbon fixation, incorporating CO2 into organic compounds.
- They are part of the biological carbon pump, sequestering inorganic carbon into the deep ocean.
Factors Affecting Productivity
- Phytoplankton populations fluctuate due to factors such as nutrient scarcity, seasonal changes, and sunlight levels.
- Nutrient levels affect phytoplankton growth and populations, while sunlight levels affect productivity.
Measuring Phytoplankton
- Phytoplankton concentrations can be measured using chlorophyll sensors, which detect chlorophyll a in-situ.
- High chlorophyll measurements indicate eutrophication, an increase in nutrient concentration in a body of water.
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Description
Test your knowledge of microalgae and phytoplankton with this quiz. Learn about the thousands of species, their role as a primary source of nutrients and energy for marine animals, and their presence in both fresh and saltwater environments.
