Question

Is phytoplankton a plant?

Answer 1

Multicellular, eukaryotic organisms which are mainly photosynthetic in nature are known as plants. Green plants have the capacity to make their own food by the process of photosynthesis. They obtain their light energy from sunlight and with the help of chlorophyll, converts the carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen gas as byproducts.

Complete answer:
Plants are those organisms which are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms and majority of them are photosynthetic in nature. Because of their ability to do photosynthesis, they are referred to as the primary producers in the ecosystem.

They can prepare their own food with the help of chlorophyll. They obtain their light energy from sunlight and with the help of chlorophyll, converts the carbon dioxide and water to glucose and oxygen gas as byproducts. The released oxygen gas by plants is used by animals for respiration. They are able to do sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction and alteration of generation.

Yes, phytoplankton are microscopic plants but they play a major role in marine food webs. They are the autotrophic plants and play a major role in ocean and freshwater ecosystems. Just like any other plant or tree on land, phytoplanktons also obtain their energy through the process of photosynthesis. Compared to terrestrial plants, they are present over a large surface area of ocean or lakes.

They form the base in marine or freshwater food webs and play a major role in the carbon cycle. They are responsible for half of the photosynthetic activity in the whole world and at least half of the oxygen production in the world. Most of them are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye. They can only be seen under a microscope.

Note:
Photosynthetic, multicellular, eukaryotic organisms belonging to the kingdom Plantae are known as plants. With the help of chlorophyll they can prepare their own food and hence are known as autotrophs. Phytoplanktons are a type of plant which is so small that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. They play a major role in the carbon cycle and are present over large surfaces of ocean or lake.