Zooplankton
Zooplankton
Zooplankton (/zoʊ.əˈplæŋktən/) are a type of plankton that comprises small, often microscopic animals, including protozoa, which live in fresh or sea water environments. The term zooplankton is derived from the Greek words "zoon" (meaning animal) and "planktos" (meaning wanderer or drifter).
Etymology
The term "zooplankton" is a combination of two Greek words: "zoon" (ζῴον), which means "animal", and "planktos" (πλαγκτός), which means "wanderer" or "drifter". This term accurately describes the nature of these organisms, as they are often found drifting or wandering in bodies of water.
Types of Zooplankton
Zooplankton are categorized into two major types: Holoplankton and Meroplankton. Holoplankton are organisms that spend their entire life cycle as plankton. Meroplankton, on the other hand, are only planktonic for part of their lives, usually the larval stage, and then become either nekton or benthos.
Importance of Zooplankton
Zooplankton play a crucial role in the aquatic food web, serving as the primary food source for many marine animals. They also contribute to the carbon cycle by consuming phytoplankton and then releasing carbon dioxide through respiration.
Related Terms
- Phytoplankton: These are the plant-like counterparts of zooplankton in the plankton community.
- Nekton: These are aquatic animals that can swim and move independently of water currents.
- Benthos: These are organisms that live on, in, or near the bottom of bodies of water.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Zooplankton
- Wikipedia's article - Zooplankton
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