plankton

Definition

Plankton are tiny organisms that live in the water. They are too small to swim against the current, so they drift with the water. Plankton are found in all bodies of water, from oceans to lakes to ponds.

There are two main types of plankton: phytoplankton and zooplankton:

Phytoplankton are plant-like plankton. They make their own food using sunlight.
Zooplankton are animal-like plankton. They eat other plankton, algae, and bacteria.

Plankton are an important part of the food chain. They are eaten by fish, whales, and other marine animals. Plankton also produce oxygen, which is essential for life on Earth.

How can the word be used?

Plankton are the foundation of the marine food chain.

Different forms of the word

Noun:

plankton (small organisms that float or drift in the water column of a body of water).
phytoplankton (planktonic algae).
zooplankton (planktonic animals).

Adjective:

planktonic (of or relating to plankton).

Etymology

The word "plankton" comes from the Greek word "planktos", which means "wanderer".

The word "plankton" was first used in English in the 1800s. It was used to refer to small organisms that floated or drifted in the water column of a body of water.

The root of the word "plankton" is the Greek word "plankein", which means "to wander".

So, the word "plankton" literally means "wanderer". This is a reference to the fact that plankton are small organisms that are carried by the currents of the water.

Question

What eats plankton?