Marine biologyLesson 2 of 4 in the course Plankton and marine food webs

Phytoplankton Ecology, Diversity, and Global Roles

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that use sunlight to make organic matter in aquatic environments. This lesson introduces what they are, where they live, and why their small size contrasts with their enormous importance.

The word phytoplankton combines Greek roots meaning plant and drifter. The name describes organisms that are plant-like in their use of photosynthesis but drift with water rather than swimming strongly against currents.

All flashcards

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS)
A compound released by some coccolithophorids that can form atmospheric sulfate particles contributing to cloud condensation nuclei.
NAAMES
A 2015–2019 study of sub-Arctic North Atlantic phytoplankton cycles and their relationships to aerosols and climate.
Mariculture
The cultivation of aquatic organisms in marine environments, where naturally occurring phytoplankton may enter enclosures with seawater.
Coccolithophores and ocean acidification
Coccolithophores are of interest because their calcium carbonate coverings may be sensitive to changing seawater chemistry.
Phytoplankton turnover
Phytoplankton can turn over in days, allowing populations to respond quickly to environmental variation.

Quiz questions

  1. Which size groups commonly occur in nutrient-poor, oligotrophic waters?Answer: Small picoplankton and nanoplankton.
  2. How does strong water-column stratification typically affect nutrient delivery to surface waters?Answer: It can reduce mixing that brings nutrients up from deep water.
  3. What role do bacteria play when they break down phytoplankton material?Answer: They recycle carbon and nutrients from organic matter.
  4. What can happen to carbon when dead phytoplankton cells and detritus sink?Answer: Carbon can be transported away from surface waters into the ocean interior.
  5. In phytoplankton cultures for aquaculture, what can aeration or agitation help accomplish?Answer: It can keep cells suspended and supply dissolved carbon dioxide.

Based on the Wikipedia article Phytoplankton, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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