primary productivity and plankton

Aerobic respiration

Respiration that uses oxygen in the release of energy

Algae

aquatic photosynthetic organisms that do not have true leaves, roots, or stems

Anaerobic respiration

respiration that does not use oxygen in the release of energy

Autotrophy

the process of self-feeding by producing energy rich compounds

Biomass

the mass of living tissue and other organic material created by living systems

Chemosynthesis

when organisms use chemical energy to produce carbohydrates

Chlorophyll

compound that allows an organism to use sunlight energy to produce carbohydrates

Compensation depth

the depth at which the production of carbohydrates by photosynthetic organisms equals the carbohydrates they need for respiration

Emergent plant

a marine plant that lives partially submerged with its roots underwater and leaves and branches above water

Heterotrophy

obtaining energy-rich compounds by consuming other plants and animals

Holoplankton

organisms that live their entire lives as plankton

Limiting factor

any factor that will limit a population's growth or an organism's normal function

Meroplankton

Organisms that spend their juvenile and/or larval stages as plankton. They spend their adult lives as nekton or benthos.

Photosynthesis

using light energy and inorganic compounds to make carbohydrates

Phytoplankton

planktonic organisms that use photosynthesis to make carbohydrates

Plankton

organisms that exist adrift in the ocean, unable to swim against currents and waves

Plankton bloom

periods of explosive growth and reproduction of particular plankton species

Primary producer

autotrophic organisms that produce energy rich compounds available for other organisms to eat

Respiration

the process of releasing energy from carbohydrates

Submergent plant

a marine plant that lives entirely underwater

Zooplankton

planktonic animals that feed on phytoplankton and other zooplankton