Glossary

autotroph:
an organism that makes organic material from inorganic material. Autotrophs are “primary producers.” Plants, phytoplankton, and some bacteria are autotrophs.

biogeochemical:
study of biology, geology, and chemistry in some part of the Earth’s system

biological oceanographers:
people who study the plants, animals, and microbes in the ocean

chlorophyll:
green material found in plants

diversity:
variety

dormant:
not active, but capable of becoming active

ecosystem:
a community of organisms and its surroundings

environment:
surroundings; the physical, chemical, and biological factors acting upon an organism

heterotroph:
an organism that obtains its organic matter from other living things. Heterotrophs are “consumers.” They get their organic matter from autotrophs.

hypothesis:
a possible explanation to be tested

incorporate:
take in; blend; unite; combine with

incubation:
developing; growth; cell change or development

microbe:
a life form that can only be seen with a microscope

microplankton:
microscopic plankton

nautical mile:
measurement of distance, usually used at sea. A nautical mile (nm) is 6,076 feet. A statute mile is 5,280 feet.

nutrients:
something in food used by plants, animals, and microbes to help them grow

organic:
based on carbon, an element in living organisms

organism:
an individual living thing

photosynthesis:
the process by which plants use the sun’s energy and their own chlorophyll to process nutrients

phytoplankton:
small plants (best seen with a microscope) floating in the upper layer of the ocean

plankton:
organisms that are suspended or floating in water

processes:
series of actions that produce something; a series of acts or changes

protists:
small single-celled organisms such as protozoa and some algae. They are not considered true animals, plants, or fungi.

techniques:
methods

toxin:
a chemical compound from one organism that is harmful to another organism

transect:
a sample area, usually a long continuous strip

trophic:
related to food or nutrition

upwelling:
the process of movement of deeper, cooler layers of ocean water up to the ocean surface. “Upwelled” water often is rich in nutrients.

variability:
changes; differences in an organism that makes it different from the species or population norm or average

zooplankton:
small animals (best seen with a microscope) floating or moving in the upper layer of the ocean. They feed on small plants (phytoplankton) or other small animals