How Much Do You Know About Plankton?

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Kevin Aulow
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Quizzes Created: 12 | Total Attempts: 12,822
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  • 1/13 Questions
    Why is this plankton green?  - ProProfs

    Why is this plankton green? 

    • It's phytoplankton, it contains chlorophyll like all other plants and chlorophyll is GREEN
    • The green in this organism is a reflection from a green fish that is passing by
    • It's made out of jade
    • It probably ate lots of green shrimp
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About This Quiz

Planktons are microscopic plants in the aquatic ecosystem. Play this informative quiz to see how much do you you know about plankton. The quiz contains various questions that will gauge your understanding of the topic and will also enhance your information reservoir about them. The quiz will be helpful for a last-minute revision of the topic before the exam. If you like the quiz, do share it with your peers. All the best!

How Much Do You Know About Plankton? - Quiz

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  • 2. 
    Why are phytoplankton important?   - ProProfs

    Why are phytoplankton important?  

    • They are the base of the food chain in the ocean

    • They are pretty, oh so pretty

    • They are food for seals and sharks

    • They are the top of the food chain in the ocean

    Correct Answer
    A. They are the base of the food chain in the ocean
    Explanation
    Phytoplankton are important because they serve as the foundation of the ocean's food chain. They are primary producers that convert sunlight and nutrients into organic matter through photosynthesis. This organic matter is then consumed by zooplankton, which are in turn eaten by larger organisms such as fish, seals, and sharks. Without phytoplankton, the entire marine ecosystem would collapse as there would be no source of food for higher trophic levels.

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  • 3. 

    Phytoplankton lives near the surface so that they can capture energy from sunlight. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Phytoplankton, which are microscopic plants, live near the surface of water bodies such as oceans and lakes. This is because they need sunlight to carry out photosynthesis, a process through which they convert sunlight into energy. By living near the surface, phytoplankton can maximize their exposure to sunlight and efficiently capture the energy they need for survival and growth. Therefore, the statement that phytoplankton lives near the surface to capture energy from sunlight is true.

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  • 4. 

    The largest daily migration on Earth occurs when zooplankton rises from the depths at night to feed on phytoplankton. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The statement is true because zooplankton, which are small aquatic organisms, rise from the depths of the ocean at night to feed on phytoplankton, which are microscopic plants. This daily migration is considered the largest on Earth because it involves a massive movement of organisms from the deep ocean to the surface. This behavior is crucial for the zooplankton's survival as it allows them to access their food source and avoid predators during the dark hours.

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  • 5. 
    The term "plankton" comes from the  Greek word planktos, which means...   - ProProfs

    The term "plankton" comes from the  Greek word planktos, which means...  

    • Wandering

    • Floating

    • Innumerable

    • Transparent

    Correct Answer
    A. Wandering
    Explanation
    The term "plankton" comes from the Greek word "planktos," which means "wandering." This is because plankton are microscopic organisms that drift or float in the water, unable to swim against the current. They are at the mercy of ocean currents and are constantly moving or "wandering" with the water.

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  • 6. 
    Although this wasn't covered in the video, it's highly likely that zooplankton, like larger animals, can be carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores.    - ProProfs

    Although this wasn't covered in the video, it's highly likely that zooplankton, like larger animals, can be carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores.   

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The given statement suggests that although the video did not cover the topic, it is highly likely that zooplankton, like larger animals, can have different feeding habits such as being carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores. This implies that zooplankton, being a diverse group of organisms, can obtain their nutrition from various sources, including other organisms, plants, or a combination of both.

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  • 7. 
    What distinguishes phytoplankton from other types of plankton?  - ProProfs

    What distinguishes phytoplankton from other types of plankton? 

    • Phytoplankton are plants, zooplankton are animals

    • Phytoplankton are female, zooplankton are males

    • Phytoplankton are artificial, zooplankton are real

    • Phytoplankton are larger than zooplankton

    Correct Answer
    A. Phytoplankton are plants, zooplankton are animals
    Explanation
    Phytoplankton are distinguished from other types of plankton because they are plants, while zooplankton are animals. This differentiation is based on the classification of organisms into the plant and animal kingdoms. Phytoplankton, such as algae, are photosynthetic and produce their own food using sunlight, while zooplankton, such as small crustaceans, feed on other organisms. This fundamental difference in their biological characteristics sets them apart from each other.

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  • 8. 
    Why did the narrator call this "edible gold"?  - ProProfs

    Why did the narrator call this "edible gold"? 

    • It's phytoplankton, which make their own food through photosynthesis

    • If you eat them, your teeth will turn gold

    • They are gold colored

    • Zooplankton farm phytoplankton in fields of gold

    Correct Answer
    A. It's phytoplankton, which make their own food through photosynthesis
    Explanation
    The narrator called it "edible gold" because phytoplankton, which make their own food through photosynthesis, are being referred to as "edible" and they are being compared to gold in terms of their value or significance.

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  • 9. 
    All plankton are microscopic.  - ProProfs

    All plankton are microscopic. 

    • True

    • False

    Correct Answer
    A. False
    Explanation
    This statement is false because not all plankton are microscopic. Plankton refers to a diverse group of organisms that float or drift in the water. While many plankton are indeed microscopic, there are also larger species of plankton, such as jellyfish and some types of algae, that can be seen with the naked eye. Therefore, the statement that all plankton are microscopic is incorrect.

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  • 10. 
    What’s one of the more interesting parenting behaviors of the amphipod Phronima? - ProProfs

    What’s one of the more interesting parenting behaviors of the amphipod Phronima?

    • She eats her young if no other food is available

    • She creates a house for her young from the carcass of her prey

    • She decapitates other plankton—including other Phronima, if nearby— to feed her young

    • She attaches her eggs to the gastrovascular opening of the Lion’s Mane Jellyfish so that the larva can feed on the jellyfish’s effluvia

    Correct Answer
    A. She creates a house for her young from the carcass of her prey
    Explanation
    The interesting parenting behavior of the amphipod Phronima is that she creates a house for her young from the carcass of her prey. This behavior is unique and fascinating as it demonstrates the resourcefulness and adaptability of this species. By repurposing the remains of her prey, Phronima ensures the safety and protection of her offspring, providing them with a sheltered environment. This behavior showcases the remarkable evolutionary strategies that organisms develop to ensure the survival of their offspring.

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  • 11. 
    According to the video, how abundant are plankton?  - ProProfs

    According to the video, how abundant are plankton? 

    • There can be more than a million in a teaspoon of water

    • The weight of all the plankton in Lake Erie would be equal to the weight of the Empire State Building

    • If you lined up all the Earth's plankton, end-to-end, they would stretch to the moon

    • They account for about half of all the biomass on the planet

    Correct Answer
    A. There can be more than a million in a teaspoon of water
    Explanation
    Plankton are incredibly abundant, with there being more than a million in just a teaspoon of water. This demonstrates the sheer number and density of plankton in aquatic environments.

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  • 12. 

    A fish narrates this video.  How does plankton figure into the fish's story?  

    • The fish ate plankton during its larval days

    • The fish was plankton during its larval days

    • The fish was bycatch in a commercial krill fishing harvest

    • During a red tide, phytoplankton produced a neurotoxin that killed the fish

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. The fish ate plankton during its larval days
    A. The fish was plankton during its larval days
    Explanation
    The fish's story involves plankton in two ways. Firstly, the fish ate plankton during its larval days, which suggests that plankton was a source of food for the fish during its early stages of life. Secondly, the fish itself was plankton during its larval days, indicating that the fish was in a larval stage and likely had a similar lifestyle and characteristics as plankton during that time.

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  • 13. 
    What do some plankton use bioluminescence for?   - ProProfs

    What do some plankton use bioluminescence for?  

    • For protection

    • To attract a mate

    • To attract prey

    • To help them in the process of photosynthesis

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. For protection
    A. To attract a mate
    A. To attract prey
    Explanation
    Some plankton use bioluminescence for multiple purposes. They use it for protection by emitting light to startle or confuse predators. They also use it to attract a mate by producing flashes of light as a form of communication. Additionally, some plankton use bioluminescence to attract prey by luring them with their glowing light.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Nov 16, 2023 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Nov 16, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 12, 2014
    Quiz Created by
    Kevin Aulow
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