phytoplankton

     

Phytoplankton are the autotrophic component of plankton. The name comes from the Greek terms, phyton or "plant" an πλαγκτος ("planktos"), meaning "wanderer" or "drifter". Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye. However, when present in high enough numbers, they may appear as a green discoloration of the water due to the presence of chlorophyll within their cells (although the actual color may vary with the species of phytoplankton present due to varying levels of chlorophyll or the presence of accessory pigments such as phycobiliproteins, xanthophylls, etc.).

Trivia about phytoplankton

  • Diatoms are among the most numerous of these plantlike plankton that drift with the ocean currents

Found pages about phytoplankton