Plankton are organisms that drift in water (or air) but are unable to actively propel themselves against currents (or wind). [1][2] Marine plankton include drifting organisms that inhabit the saltwater of …

The word “plankton” comes from the Greek for “drifter” or “wanderer.” An organism is considered plankton if it is carried by tides and currents, and cannot swim well enough to move against these …

Plankton, marine and freshwater organisms that, because they are nonmotile or too small or weak to swim against the current, exist in a drifting state. Plankton is the productive base of both marine and …

Oct 19, 2023 · There are two main types of plankton: phytoplankton, which are plants, and zooplankton, which are animals. Zoo plankton and other small marine creatures eat phyto plankton and then …

Mar 29, 2023 · Learn what plankton is. Get the definition and examples of different types of plankton and discover their ecological importance.

Aug 24, 2025 · Plankton are a diverse collection of tiny organisms that drift within water bodies, unable to propel themselves against currents. The term originates from the Greek word for “wanderer” or …

Jul 16, 2025 · Plankton are the base of the food web. They consume and produce oxygen, carbon dioxide, and many other compounds. They are part of the mechanisms by which carbon and energy …

What is plankton? Plankton are a collection of tiny organisms that live at and beneath the surface of lakes, rivers, ponds, and oceans across the planet.

Phytoplankton (/ ˌfaɪtoʊˈplæŋktən /) are the autotrophic (self-feeding) components of the plankton community and a key part of ocean and freshwater ecosystems. The name comes from Ancient …

Dec 11, 2025 · These microbes thrive on nutrients in seawater and are often photosynthetic. The plankton include a wide variety of organisms such as algae, bacteria, protozoans, the larvae of some …