Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton are the tiny, free-floating, photosynthetic organisms in aquatic systems. They include diatoms, desmids, and dinoflagellates.

The word is formed by compounding the Greek words phyto (plant) and plankton (drifting), meaning thereby the floating plant. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in watery environments, both salty and fresh. It is also known as microalgae.

Some phytoplankton are bacteria, some are protists, and most are single-celled plants. Among the common kinds are cyanobacteria, silica-encased diatoms, dinoflagellates, green algae, and chalk-coated coccolithophores.

Phytoplankton require sunlight to grow. They also require inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfur which they convert into proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Nearby pages
Pia-mater, Piacenza, Piarists, Piazzi, Pibroch