Unit 12: Plankton

Unit 12: Plankton

Unit Focus

This unit describes the two predominant plankton types: phytoplankton (plant) and zooplankton (animal). Students will investigate the important role of plankton in the food chain and learn that some plankton are larval stages of larger marine organisms such as lobster, fish, and crab.

Plankton includes plants and animals that float along at the mercy of the sea's tides and currents. Their name comes from the Greek meaning 'drifter' or 'wanderer.' There are two types of plankton: tiny plants--called phytoplankton, and weak-swimming animals--called zooplankton. Some are babies that will grow into strong-swimming, non-planktonic adults. Others will remain plankton for their entire lives. All jellyfish, and the Ocean sunfish are such feeble swimmers that they too are included as plankton. Most of the plankton in the ocean are plants.

1. Define plankton.
2. Identify the two main types of plankton.
3. Discuss the importance of phytoplankton in the ocean environment.
4. Name and describe the two types of zooplankton.