The Significance of Phytoplankton in Marine Ecosystems Quiz

Microalgae are unicellular algae visible by microscopes. An example of microalgae is phytoplankton (PHY).

There are about 5000 species of phytoplankton (PHY).

PHY, together with seaweeds and plants, form the primary source of nutrients and energy for marine animals.

PHY, both algae and cyanobacteria, can be found in fresh or saltwater.

All PHY contain at least one form of chlorophyll (chlorophyll a) and can conduct photosynthesis for energy.

An organism is considered plankton if it is carried by tides and currents and cannot swim well enough to move against these forces.

The word 'plankton' comes from the Greek for 'drifter' or 'wanderer.'

Plankton is classified into seven categories, each containing plankton of a size within one to two orders of magnitude based on the number 2.

The term 'planktonic algae' refers to thousands of species of microalgae floating in water all over the world.

PHY can grow in colonies large enough to be seen by the human eye, forming algal blooms.

Plankton, including phytoplankton, forms the base of the marine food chain and provides essential nutrients and energy for marine organisms.

Another type of plankton is zooplankton, which consists of small animals and the early stages of larger animals that drift with the currents.

Phytoplankton play a vital role in climate control by producing approximately half of the oxygen found in the ocean and atmosphere through photosynthesis.

Phytoplankton contribute to the regulation of inorganic carbon in the atmosphere through carbon fixation and the biological carbon pump.

Nutrient scarcity is the largest influence on phytoplankton levels, with sunlight and seasonal changes also impacting their productivity.

Phytoplankton populations fluctuate seasonally, with typical concentrations varying by location and from month to month.

Chlorophyll sensors provide immediate data and can be used for continuous monitoring of phytoplankton concentrations.

Kuwait's waters have a rich community of diatoms and dinoflagellates due to nutrient-rich waters.

Over 323 phytoplankton species were identified from the collected samples in Kuwait's waters.

Diatoms represent the majority of the identified phytoplankton species in Kuwait's waters.

Species were identified based on specific morphological characteristics, with a total of 202 different species identified at the genus or species level.

An organism must use chlorophyll a in photosynthesis, be microscopic, and live and die floating in the water to be considered as phytoplankton.

Phytoplankton form the foundation of the oceanic food web, serving as primary producers and sustaining the entire food chain.

70 seawater samples and 80 oblique net samples were collected from different locations in Kuwait's waters for phytoplankton examination and identification.