AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Phytoplankton and algae form the bases of aquatic food webs. They are eaten by primary consumers like zooplankton, small fish, and crustaceans. Primary consumers are in turn eaten by fish, small sharks, corals, and baleen whales.

Detailed explanation-2: -Since they are at the first level they are said to have a trophic level of 1 (from the Greek trophē meaning food). Phytoplankton are then consumed at the next trophic level in the food chain by microscopic animals called zooplankton.

Detailed explanation-3: -The first link in the ocean food chain are producers, such as phytoplankton. Producers are organisms that can make their own food. In the ocean, producers include billions of microscopic organisms called phytoplankton. These are the main producers, but there are others such as algae and seagrasses.

Detailed explanation-4: -Plankton are at the base of the food chain, meaning they are critical in supporting marine and freshwater food webs. Phytoplankton are also primary produces, meaning they use photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide to oxygen, and are responsible for up to half of the oxygen we breathe.

Detailed explanation-5: -The food chain in an aquatic habitat often starts with algae or phytoplankton as producers, followed by zooplankton that eats them. Giant fish, sharks, and whales consume zooplankton, which is eaten by small fish and crustaceans. A water-based food chain is known as an aquatic food chain.