Phytoplankton
Meaning
Microscopic marine plants that drift in the ocean and form the base of the marine food web
Pronunciation
UK /ˌfaɪtəʊˈplæŋktən/
US /ˌfaɪtoʊˈplæŋktən/
Example Sentences
- Tiny plants called phytoplankton live near the ocean surface and release oxygen through photosynthesis.
- Tiny sea plants called phytoplankton drift near the surface of the ocean and feed billions of small fish and animals.
Learn Phytoplankton in Context
How Oceans Shape Life on EarthMore than seventy percent of our planet is covered by ocean. The ocean is a living system that shapes all life on Earth. Oceans produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe. Tiny plants called phyt...Read story 
How Sea Plants Support LifeDid you know that sea plants produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe every day? Most people think of forests when they hear the word "oxygen," but the ocean plays an equally important role. Se...Read story
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