Plankton Basics
Define Plankton
Microscopic organisms that drift with the currents
What is the original source of most energy in food webs?
THE SUN
What happens to matter when a zooplankton is eaten?
Its matter becomes part of the predator’s body.
Small fish, jellyfish, and whales
What is one difference between phytoplankton and zooplankton?
Phytoplankton make their own food, zooplankton eat other animals
DAILY DOUBLE
What is the name for an animal that, if removed from an ecosystem, would cause the whole ecosystem to collapse?
Keystone species!
How does matter return to the ocean after organisms die?
Decomposers break them down and return nutrients to the water.
What is the difference between a food web and food chain?
A food chain is one part of a food web, which considers all the energy passage in an ecosystem. Food chains start with the sun!
Why are plankton called "drifers"
They have limited control of their movement and float or drift with currents
What happens to energy as it moves up a food chain?
Not all energy is passed to the next level because each organism uses some of it
What role do decomposers play in a food web?
They recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.
What might happen if phytoplankton decreased?
Many animals would lose their food source
How do phytoplankton make their own food?
Using photosynthesis!
Explain how plankton help move energy from the sun to large whales.
Phytoplankton capture sunlight, zooplankton eat them, and whales eat zooplankton.
Name two decomposers
Fungus, bacteria, invertebrates
How are plankton connected to animals on land?
They help produce oxygen and support ocean food that humans eat.
What ocean layers do zooplankton migrate from and to?
DAILY DOUBLE
What is the name for an animal that does not naturally belong in an ecosystem but is accidentally introduced. How does it harm the ecoystem?
Invasive species. They take up energy from native animals and disrupt the food web. Their presence can cause the collapse of a food web.
Source, producer, primary consumer, secondary consumer, decomposer
Sun> Phytoplankton>zoo plankton>whale>crustacean decomposer (crab, isopods)
Predict what would happen if ocean temperatures rise and plankton decrease
The whole food web could be affected, including fish and whales.