phy·to·plank·ton (f  t -pl ngk t n)n. Minute, free-floating aquatic plants. phy to·plank·tonic (-plngk-t n k) adj. |
phytoplankton [ˌfaɪtəˈplæŋktən]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biology) the photosynthesizing organisms in plankton, mainly unicellular algae and cyanobacteria Compare zooplankton
phytoplanktonic [ˌfaɪtəplæŋkˈtɒnɪk] adj
| phytoplankton (ft-plngktn) Plankton consisting of free-floating algae, protists, and cyanobacteria. Phytoplankton form the beginning of the food chain for aquatic animals and fix large amounts of carbon, which would otherwise be released as carbon dioxide. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | phytoplankton - photosynthetic or plant constituent of plankton; mainly unicellular algae plankton - the aggregate of small plant and animal organisms that float or drift in great numbers in fresh or salt water planktonic algae - unicellular algae diatom - microscopic unicellular marine or freshwater colonial alga having cell walls impregnated with silica |
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