by 
The Curious Bag
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Plankton describes not a single species but a multitude of life forms that spend their lives drifting with the currents, playing a basic role in the food chain.
Definition
According to the Water Encyclopedia, the term "plankton" comes from the Greek word for "wandering." Plankton cannot resist the pull of currents, so they drift at the mercy of the waters. Any type of sea creature, of any size, that meets this description qualifies as plankton.
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton live by converting carbon dioxide to energy by way of photosynthesis. These tiny forms, many of them microscopic in size, include bacteria, viruses and single-cell creatures.
Zooplankton
Zooplankton, tiny animals that float in both seawater and fresh water, may feed on plant life, animal life or both. They range in size from protozoa to mollusks and jellyfish.
Environment
Marine plankton may live out their entire lives in the deep oceanic waters or live exclusively in shallow waters.
Role in Ecosystem
Phytoplankton form the basis of the marine food chain. Progressively larger life forms feed on progressively larger plankton, making possible the diverse richness of aquatic ecosystems.
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