Phytoplankton
[fahy-tuh-plangk-tuh n] /ˌfaɪ təˈplæŋk tən/
noun
1.
the aggregate of plants and plantlike organisms in .
/ˌfaɪtəˈplæŋktən/
noun
1.
the photosynthesizing organisms in plankton, mainly unicellular algae and cyanobacteria Compare zooplankton
n.
1897, from phyto- + plankton.
phytoplankton
(fī’tō-plāngk’tən)
Plankton consisting of free-floating algae, protists, and cyanobacteria. Phytoplankton form the beginning of the food chain for aquatic animals and fix large amounts of carbon, which would otherwise be released as carbon dioxide.
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