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  1. Plankton - Wikipedia

    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 …

  2. Plankton | Definition, Characteristics, Types, Diet, Size, & Facts ...

    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 …

  3. What are plankton? - NOAA's National Ocean Service

    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 …

  4. What Is Plankton? Definition and Examples

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

  5. Plankton - National Geographic Society

    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 …

  6. Plankton, explained - National Geographic

    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.

  7. Plankton | Ask A Biologist

    Apr 18, 2011 · When you go swimming in a lake or in the ocean, each stroke pushes you past billions upon billions of microscopic creatures called plankton. It was a German scientist …

  8. 5 Types of Plankton in the Ocean to Know - American Oceans

    Plankton are fundamental to the marine ecosystem, serving as the base of the food chain and contributing to global oxygen production. Plankton species vary immensely in size and type, …

  9. Plankton: Definition, Types, and Characteristics

    May 27, 2025 · In essence, plankton are microscopic aquatic organisms—both plant (phytoplankton) and animal (zooplankton)—that drift passively in water, largely carried by …

  10. The Unseen Heroes of the Ocean: The Critical Role of Plankton in …

    Aug 20, 2024 · Plankton, often considered the most modest yet vital components of the ocean, serve as the foundational building blocks of the marine food web. Despite their microscopic …