Photosynthesis in the Ocean

Science

A rapid increase in the population of algae

An organism that uses energy from the sun to produce its own food, like plants

A cyclic polyether compounds neurotoxin produced by a species of phytoplankton brevetoxin. Brevetoxin is a potent toxin produced by algae that can harm marine life and cause health issues in humans.

The biogeochemical cycle by which carbon is exchanged among the Earth's spheres carbon cycle. The carbon cycle is the process by which carbon moves through the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.

The green pigment in plants that uses light energy for photosynthesis

the plant organelle that uses light energy to make food

A taxon of bacteria which conduct photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are microorganisms that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, often called blue-green algae.

The chemical breakdown of a substance into simpler substances

A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in cells

Contains organisms that can severely lower oxygen levels in natural waters. Harmful algal bloom. A harmful algal bloom is a rapid increase of algae in water, which can produce toxins and deplete oxygen, harming aquatic life.

Electromagnetic energy that travels in waves, not all light is in the visible spectrum

a very small organism that can only be seen with a microscope, like bacteria

A molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, it blocks UV rays

A disease-causing agent, like a bacteria, virus, or parasite

The process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that float near the water’s surface, like algae

A colored chemical compound that absorbs some colors of light and reflects others

The production of chemical energy by living organisms. primary productivity. Primary productivity is the process by which plants and other photosynthetic organisms produce energy-rich compounds like sugars using sunlight.

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