noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
dinoflagellate
A type of single-celled plankton, often with two flagella and sometimes bioluminescent. Used in biological contexts.
渦鞭毛虫は海洋生態系で重要な役割を果たしている。
Dinoflagellates play an important role in marine ecosystems.
プランクトン is a broad term for plankton, while 渦鞭毛虫 refers specifically to dinoflagellates.
Compound of 渦 (うず, 'whirlpool'), 鞭毛 (べんもう, 'flagellum'), and 虫 (ちゅう, 'bug/worm'), describing the organism's characteristic spinning motion and flagella.