Book 6, Question 84
Why Is Plankton So Important?
Plankton are tiny living things that drift in the water. Plant-like plankton make food from sunlight, and animal-like plankton eat them. Fish, whales, and even corals depend on that first tiny bite!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 6
More fun facts
- The word plankton comes from Greek and means made to wander or drift.
- Phytoplankton are plant-like drifters, and zooplankton are tiny animal drifters.
- Like land plants, phytoplankton use chlorophyll to catch sunlight and turn it into energy.
- Phytoplankton range from tiny bacteria to glassy diatoms and armor-plated coccolithophores.
- Many scientists think these tiny drifters are among the most important living things in the sea.
- Changes in plankton can change the food for baby fish, and with it the whole ocean food web.
Sources: NASA, National Geographic, BBC, NOAA
Questions kids ask
What does plankton mean?
It comes from a Greek word meaning made to wander or drift.