Which term refers to microscopic marine organisms?

Which term refers to microscopic marine organisms?

• A. Plankton
• B. Algae
• C. Diatoms
• D. Bacteria

Answer: (A)

Plankton is the term for organisms that drift with ocean currents. Most plankton are microscopic and form the base of marine food webs, including phytoplankton (like diatoms) and zooplankton. Algae is a broad group that includes both microscopic and macroscopic forms, so it’s not restricted to microscopic organisms. Diatoms are a specific type of microscopic algae, a subset of phytoplankton, not the entire drifting community. Bacteria are microscopic organisms too, but in common usage the phrase “microscopic marine organisms” that describes the drifting life in the ocean points to plankton as the broad, encompassing category.

Plankton is the term for organisms that drift with ocean currents. Most plankton are microscopic and form the base of marine food webs, including phytoplankton (like diatoms) and zooplankton. Algae is a broad group that includes both microscopic and macroscopic forms, so it’s not restricted to microscopic organisms. Diatoms are a specific type of microscopic algae, a subset of phytoplankton, not the entire drifting community. Bacteria are microscopic organisms too, but in common usage the phrase “microscopic marine organisms” that describes the drifting life in the ocean points to plankton as the broad, encompassing category.