Name _______________________________________________________________
Date _____________________________
Class ______________
Ecology Activity 6 Analysis Questions
1. Identify at least two similarities and two differences between zooplankton and phytoplankton.
2. What is the role of phytoplankton in an aquatic ecosystem?
4. How might changes in the amount of plankton in the ocean affect the ocean’s ability to provide a sustainable source
of food for the world’s human population? Explain.
Name _______________________________________________________________
Date _____________________________
Class ______________
Ecology Activity 6 Analysis Questions
1. Identify at least two similarities and two differences between zooplankton and phytoplankton.
2. What is the role of phytoplankton in an aquatic ecosystem?
4. How might changes in the amount of plankton in the ocean affect the ocean’s ability to provide a sustainable source
of food for the world’s human population? Explain.
Name __________________KEY____________________________________
Date _____________________________
Class ______________
Ecology Activity 6 Analysis Questions
1. Identify at least two similarities and two differences between zooplankton and phytoplankton.
Similarities:
 They are all microscopic
 They all live in aquatic environments
 They are all made of cells
 They are both the base of the food chain
Differences:
 Zooplankton move, phytoplankton don’t
 Phytoplankton are green because they have
chloroplasts like plants, zooplankton don’t
Phytoplankton are producers,
zooplankton are consumers
2. What is the role of phytoplankton in an aquatic ecosystem?
Phytoplankton are producers, which means they convert the sun’s energy into food. Other things, called
consumers, eat phytoplankton and use that energy. They also produce oxygen, which is used by consumers.
4. How might changes in the amount of plankton in the ocean affect the ocean’s ability to provide a sustainable source
of food for the world’s human population? Explain.
If there are fewer plankton in the ocean, there would not be as much food for the fish and other consumers. If
there are not enough plankton to sustain the fish populations, than there will be less food for humans.
Name __________________KEY____________________________________
Date _____________________________
Class ______________
Ecology Activity 6 Analysis Questions
1. Identify at least two similarities and two differences between zooplankton and phytoplankton.
Similarities:
 They are all microscopic
 They all live in aquatic environments
 They are all made of cells
 They are both the base of the food chain
Differences:
 Zooplankton move, phytoplankton don’t
 Phytoplankton are green because they have
chloroplasts like plants, zooplankton don’t
Phytoplankton are producers,
zooplankton are consumers
2. What is the role of phytoplankton in an aquatic ecosystem?
Phytoplankton are producers, which means they convert the sun’s energy into food. Other things, called
consumers, eat phytoplankton and use that energy. They also produce oxygen, which is used by consumers.
4. How might changes in the amount of plankton in the ocean affect the ocean’s ability to provide a sustainable source
of food for the world’s human population? Explain.
If there are fewer plankton in the ocean, there would not be as much food for the fish and other consumers. If
there are not enough plankton to sustain the fish populations, than there will be less food for humans.