Lecture 1

Question 1

What is the nutritional mode of zooplankton?

Answer 1

Heterotrophy

Zooplankton obtain their nutrition by consuming other organisms.

Question 2

What is the size range of zooplankton?

Answer 2

From microscopic protists (10s microns) to large metazoans (several meters)

This size variation includes both solitary and colonial forms.

Question 3

What are the two main types of plankton?

Answer 3

• Holoplankton (permanent plankton)
• Heroplankton (temporary plankton)

Heroplankton includes larvae of fishes and benthic organisms.

Question 4

What are the two categories of heroplankton based on feeding?

Answer 4

• Planktotrophic (feed in plankton)
• Lecithotrophic (non-feeding)

Planktotrophic larvae can last for months, while lecithotrophic larvae can last for weeks.

Question 5

What are the size classes of zooplankton?

Answer 5

• Nano-
• Micro-
• Meso-
• Macro-
• Mega-

These classifications help in understanding the diversity and ecological roles of zooplankton.

Question 6

Where can zooplankton be found?

Answer 6

Everywhere

Zooplankton are distributed broadly across various aquatic environments.

Question 7

What percentage of marine animals spend a stage of their life as plankton?

Answer 7

95%

This highlights the critical role of zooplankton in marine ecosystems.

Question 8

What role do zooplankton play in marine food webs?

Answer 8

Energetic link between primary producers, micro-heterotrophs, and higher trophic levels

They facilitate energy transfer within the marine ecosystem.

Question 9

How do zooplankton impact the organic material flux to the seafloor?

Answer 9

Facilitate flux of organic material

Their feeding and excretion processes contribute to the organic matter sinking to the ocean floor.

Question 10

What are zooplankton indicators of?

Answer 10

Oceanic change, including climate change and anthropogenic impacts

Changes in zooplankton populations can reflect broader environmental shifts.

Question 11

What is autotrophy

Answer 11

nutrition involoving the synthesis of complex organic substances using photosynthesis or chemosynthesis - with the use of inorganic substances

Question 12

What are bacterioplankton

Answer 12

bacterial plankton aquiring nourishment via osmoheterotrophy and some also by chemotrophy

Question 13

Constitutive mixoplankton

Answer 13

Protist plankton with an inherent capacity for phototrophy that can also exhibit phagotrophy

Question 14

What are generalists non-constitutive mixoplankton (GNCMs)?

Answer 14

NCMs that acquire their capacity for phototrophy from general phototrophic prey

GNCMs are a type of mixoplankton that utilize a broad range of phototrophic sources.

Question 15

Define heterotrophy.

Answer 15

Nutrition involving the consumption and interconversions of sources of organic carbon

Heterotrophy is essential for organisms that cannot produce their own food.

Question 16

What is metazooplankton?

Answer 16

Multicellular (i.e. non-protist) zooplankton

Metazooplankton includes larger organisms such as crustaceans and other multicellular zooplankton.

Question 17

What is mixoplankton?

Answer 17

Plankton protists capable of obtaining nourishment via photo(auto)trophy and phago(hetero)trophy, as well as via osmo(hetero)trophy

Mixoplankton can utilize multiple nutritional strategies, making them versatile in their habitats.

Question 18

What does mixotrophy refer to?

Answer 18

Nutrition involving both autotrophy and heterotrophy

Mixotrophy allows organisms to adapt to varying environmental conditions.

Question 19

What are non-constitutive mixoplankton (NCMs)?

Answer 19

Protist plankton that acquire the capability for phototrophy from consumption of phototrophic prey

NCMs depend on specific trophic interactions for their nutritional capabilities.

Question 20

Define osmotrophy.

Answer 20

A mode of heterotrophy involving the uptake and consumption of dissolved organic compounds

Osmotrophy plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling in aquatic environments.

Question 21

What is phagotrophy?

Answer 21

A mode of heterotrophy involving the engulfment of particles into a phagocytic vacuole for digestion

Phagotrophy is a common feeding strategy among many protists and some multicellular organisms.

Question 22

Define phototrophy.

Answer 22

A mode of autotrophy involving the fixation of CO2 using energy derived from light

Phototrophy is fundamental for photosynthetic organisms, contributing to primary production.

Question 23

What are phytoplankton?

Answer 23

Plankton obtaining nourishment via photo(auto)trophy and osmo(hetero)trophy, incapable of phagotrophy

Phytoplankton are vital for aquatic ecosystems as primary producers.

Question 24

What are plankton?

Answer 24

Organisms that cannot maintain a fixed location in the water column and are moved by tides and currents

Plankton play a key role in aquatic food webs and nutrient cycling.

Question 25

What is a protist?

Answer 25

Single-celled eukaryote organism ## Footnote Protists include a diverse range of organisms, from algae to protozoa.

Question 26

What are protophytoplankton?

Answer 26

Protist phytoplankton ## Footnote Protophytoplankton are an essential component of aquatic ecosystems.

Question 27

Define protozooplankton.

Answer 27

Protist zooplankton ## Footnote Protozooplankton are typically smaller than metazooplankton and play a significant role in the food web.

Question 28

What are specialist non-constitutive mixoplankton (SNCMs)?

Answer 28

NCMs that acquire their capacity for phototrophy from specific phototrophic prey ## Footnote SNCMs are selective in their feeding strategies compared to GNCMs.

Question 29

What is zooplankton?

Answer 29

Plankton obtaining nourishment via heterotrophy, incapable of phototrophy ## Footnote Zooplankton are crucial consumers in aquatic ecosystems, feeding on phytoplankton and other small organisms.