plankton
Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
plank·ton
(plangk'tŏn),A general term for many floating marine forms, mostly of microscopic or minute size, which are moved passively by winds, waves, tides, or currents; it includes diatoms, algae, copepods, and many protozoans, crustacea, mollusks, and worms.
[G. planktos, wandering]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
plank·ton
(plangk'tŏn)A general term for many floating marine forms, mostly of microscopic or minute size, which are moved passively by winds, waves, tides, or currents.
[G. planktos, wandering]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
plankton
the organisms inhabiting the surface layer of a sea or lake, drifting with the current. Many planktonic organisms are capable of locomotion but are not sufficiently strong swimmers to move against the currents. Members of the plankton vary in size from unicellular organisms to large jellyfish, 1m or more in diameter. Compare NEKTON.Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005