Phytoplankton of the open ocean are very small in order to:
A) avoid detection by grazers.
B) maximize their surface area.
C) increase their sinking rates.
D) none of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Phytoplankton of the open ocean are very small in order to maximize their surface area, which allows them to absorb more nutrients and perform more photosynthesis. This is important because open ocean waters tend to be nutrient-poor, and small phytoplankton have a better chance of survival in these conditions. Additionally, maximizing their surface area allows them to exchange gases more efficiently with the surrounding water, which is important for respiration and for maintaining their buoyancy. Grazers are not a major threat to open ocean phytoplankton because they are much too small to be seen by most zooplankton. Increasing their sinking rate would actually be counterproductive for open ocean phytoplankton, as it would prevent them from staying suspended in the water column where they can access sunlight and nutrients.

Phytoplankton of the Open Ocean Are Very Small in Order