Phytoplankton Vs Zooplankton: Definition, 17+ Differences, Examples

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Definition of Phytoplankton (What are Phytoplankton?)

A type of free-floating microalgae which drifts with the stream of water as well as is a significant component of ocean, sea, as well as freshwater ecosystems is a Phytoplankton.

The name phytoplankton is derived from two Greek words: phyto, which means plants, as well as plankton, which means drifter.
Phytoplanktons are autotrophic because, like land vegetation, they contain chlorophyll to produce their own sustenance.
Many phytoplanktons are seen floating on the surface of bodies of water because they need sunshine to prepare their meal.
Individual phytoplanktons are so small that they can’t be seen with the naked eye, yet when in large numbers, they show as coloured patches on the water’s surface.
Phytoplankton accounts for around 1% of total global biomass. Most marine as well as freshwater species rely on these organisms as their principal source of food.
The number of phytoplankton may vary seasonally depending on the accessibility of adequate sunlight, appropriate temperature, as well as other substrates.
Diatoms, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates, green algae, as well as other types comprise phytoplankton.
During photosynthesis, these creatures use a variety of inorganic minerals that are afterwards transformed into proteins, carbohydrates, as well as other nutrition for themselves as well as other animals.
Phytoplankton, not like other autotrophs such as plants, is made up of a variety of organisms varying from archaeal or bacterial prokaryotes to protistan eukaryotes.
The principal manufacturer in both freshwater as well as marine food chains, accounting for half of the entire photosynthetic activity on the planet is Phytoplankton.
These are the main food supply in aquaculture as well as mariculture, as well as a nutritional supplement for diverse invertebrates in aquaria.
When nutrients are abundant, however, phytoplanktons may develop out of control, resulting in the production of alga blooms.
Such blooms may make hazardous, even toxic, compounds which may harm other ecosystems within the area.
According to studies conducted from 2015 to 2019, the phytoplankton concentration is dropping by around 1% per year as a result of global warming.
Phytoplankton includes diatoms, green algae, cyanobacteria, as well as coccolithophores, among other things.

Definition of Zooplankton (What are Zooplankton?)

Zooplankton are small, floating creatures that make up the majority of heterotrophic animals in maritime habitats.

The name zooplankton is derived from the Greek terms zoo, which means “animals,” as well as plankton, which means “drifter.”
Zooplanktons are essential components of food chains in aquatic settings ranging from freshwater to seas as well as oceans.
Zooplanktons are heterotrophs, which means they rely on phytoplankton as well as other autotrophs for energy as well as carbon.
The movement of Zooplanktons, along with the presence of water, enables them to search food while simultaneously protecting themselves from predators.
Zooplanktons are critters ranging in size from microscopic protozoans to gigantic metazoans. Other species, such as immature starfish as well as worms, may also function as temporary zooplanktons.
Zooplanktons, like phytoplanktons, are made up of several animal groups, such as radiolarians, foraminiferans, as well as dinoflagellates, as well as cnidarians, crustaceans, chordates, as well as mollusks.
The majority of zooplanktons are larval forms of fishes as well as invertebrates which eventually metamorphose into complete marine creatures.
The spread of zooplankton is constrained by a variety of reasons including as predation, competition, as well as breeding.
Patches of zooplanktons can moreover be found in places with favourable physical characteristics such as temperature, water currents, as well as salinity.
The presence of phytoplankton also limits the number of zooplankton, which can be disrupted by a variety of different variables, including their lifespan.
Zooplanktons are a significant component of ocean food chains because they provide food for higher consumers such as fish.
This is a significant group of animals because they may act as a conduit for the packing of organic components in biological bumps.
Zooplanktons also take action quickly against the growing amount of phytoplankton, causing blooms as well as preventing their negative consequences.
Some zooplanktons have also been linked to the removal of harmful compounds such as mercury from polluted water.
However, by housing harmful agents, zooplanktons aid in the survival as well as spread of many diseases.
Bacteria such as Vibrio cholerae contain a symbiotic connection with crustacean zooplanktons because their exoskeletons give the bacteria with the carbon as well as nitrogen it requires.
Animals such as radiolarians, krill, jellyfish, immature molluscs, as well as amphipods are examples of zooplanktons.

Difference between Phytoplankton and Zooplankton

(Phytoplankton Vs Zooplankton)

Basis for Comparison	Phytoplankton	Zooplankton
Definition	Phytoplankton is a type of free-floating microalgae which drifts with the stream of water as well as it is a significant component of ocean, sea, as well as freshwater ecosystems.	Zooplankton are tiny, floating creatures which make up the majority of heterotrophic animals in maritime habitats.
Terms	The term ‘phyto’ means ‘plant-like.’	The term ‘zoo’ means ‘animal-like.’
Consists of	Diatoms, cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates, green algae, as well as coccolithophores are all phytoplankton.	Zooplankton creatures include radiolarians, foraminiferans, as well as dinoflagellates, as well as cnidarians, crustaceans, chordates, as well as mollusks.
Nutrition	Because phytoplanktons are autotrophic, they can produce their own food using sunlight as well as chlorophyll.	Zooplanktons are heterotrophic since they rely on phytoplankton for food as well as energy.
Habitat	Because photosynthesis requires sunlight, phytoplanktons are generally seen floating on the surface of water bodies.	Zooplanktons tend to congregate in the dark as well as deeper parts of the ocean.
Appearance	Phytoplanktons appear as murky green patches on the surface of water. They are otherwise brown in colour.	Zooplanktons are typically translucent, although their form, size, as well as colour can vary depending on the organism.
Size	Phytoplanktons are undetectable to the naked eye as well as can only be seen in vast numbers as green patches.	The majority of zooplanktons are large enough to be observed with the naked eye.
Photosynthesis	Phytoplanktons can photosynthesise as well as account for almost half of all photosynthesis performed worldwide.	Photosynthesis is not possible for zooplanktons.
Oxygen release	Phytoplanktons are photosynthetic and thus essential for oxygen release.	Zooplanktons just consume oxygen; they don’t create it.
Energy	Phytoplanktons get their energy through photosynthesis, which uses inorganic minerals.	Zooplanktons get their energy from phytoplankton.
Position in the food chain	The oceanic food chains are produced by phytoplanktons.	The primary or secondary consumers of the oceanic food chain are zooplanktons.
Movement	Most phytoplanktons are unable to move freely with the water currents.	Zooplanktons can move with or against water currents in order to avoid predators or competition.
Metamorphosis	Phytoplanktons do not go through metamorphism.	The majority of zooplanktons are larval forms of fish as well as invertebrates which eventually transition into free-swimming organisms.
Vertical migration	Vertical migration is not possible for phytoplanktons.	In water, zooplanktons can migrate vertically.
Functions	Phytoplanktons serve as both food for zooplankton as well as markers of the health of marine habitats.	Zooplanktons function as sensors of hazardous compounds in ecosystems as well as as food for higher heterotrophs.
Examples	Phytoplankton includes diatoms, green algae, cyanobacteria, as well as coccolithophores, among other things.	Animals such as radiolarians, krill, jellyfish, immature molluscs, as well as amphipods are examples of zooplanktons.

Phytoplankton Examples

(a) Cyanobacteria

Photosynthetic bacteria which live primarily inside water as well as use sulphur compounds to produce food through chemosynthesis are Cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacteria, often known as blue-green algae, are autotrophs which produce the majority of the oxygen found in marine environments.
Cyanobacteria are a big group of phytoplankton which are dispersed consistently throughout the world’s water bodies. Cyanobacteria come in a variety of shapes, sizes, as well as colours.
Most cyanobacteria are highly adapted to varied aquatic conditions because they are more resistant than other phytoplanktons as well as can thus survive in even the most harsh aquatic situations.
Cyanobacteria are mainly found in colonies made up of unicellular to filamentous colonies which are dispersed at random throughout bodies of water.
Different biomasses form in different areas as colonies divide to live in diverse environments. Several cyanobacteria, such as Lyngbya, may even generate blooms.
Cyanobacteria, similar to every phytoplanktons, provide food for zooplankton.
Cyanobacteria found in oceanic settings comprise Synechocystis, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, as well as others.

(b) Dinoflagellates

Dinoflagellates are unicellular creatures which contain golden-brown plastids and thus appear golden-brown.
Many dinoflagellates create symbiotic relationships by absorbing inorganic minerals while providing adequate oxygen.
Dinoflagellates contain a dented cell membrane, peculiar swimming patterns, a big nucleus, as well as visible chromosomes.
Dinoflagellates are named after the two distinct flagella which protrude from the cell membrane.
Even while they are necessary as phytoplanktons in the production of food as well as oxygen for the ecosystem, they may be hazardous if evolved into blooms.
Several Dinoflagellates even release toxic compounds which are detrimental to other animals as well as plants which share the environment.
Oxyrrhis marina, Dinophysis acuminate, Symbiodinium, as well as other dinoflagellates are examples.

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Zooplankton examples

(a) Jellyfish

A jellyfish is an example of a zooplankton which can drift as well as swim over oceans.
Hundreds of jellyfishes live in practically every ocean, all of which are members of the group known as sea anemones or corals.
Jellyfish are transparent as well as soft-bodied, resembling an umbrella with tentacles drooping off the edges. The building is known as the medusa.
Jellyfish can range in size from microscopic to more than one metre in length.
Since ocean food chains are shorter than those on land, zooplanktons such as jellyfish serve as a connection between phytoplankton as well as higher species.
Though, a rise in the quantity of such jellyfish above usual could be an issue because certain huge jellyfish can swallow the larvae of tiny fishes.

(b) Krill

Krill are a significant component of zooplanktons, which are crustaceans found in oceans all over the world.
During the day, krill can be seen on the surface of the water, but at night, they move deeper into the ocean.
These are typically found at a lower trophic level as primary consumers, acting as a link between phytoplanktons as well as secondary or tertiary consumers.
The majority of krill serve as a food supply for larger marine species.
Several Krill are yet professionally caught because they can be utilised as food for aquaculture as well as mariculture.
Krill contain a chitinous exoskeleton which is mainly transparent, like most crustaceans.
Krill are bioluminescent, with organs known as photophores which can give out light as well as are thought to be vital for mating as well as direction.

Phytoplankton Vs Zooplankton Citations

https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/phyto.html
https://www.vedantu.com/biology/autotrophic-nutrition
https://www.thoughtco.com/all-about-photosynthetic-organisms-4038227
https://www.encyclopedia.com/plants-and-animals/microbes-algae-and-fungi/moneran-and-protistan/zooplankton
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-642-19106-0_2
https://deepoceanfacts.com/deep-ocean-ecosystems
https://climatechangeandoceanstratification.blogspot.com/p/importance-of-phytoplanktons.html

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