noun
plankton
Refers to the diverse collection of small organisms drifting in water, including both phytoplankton and zooplankton.
海にはたくさんのプランクトンがいる。
There is a lot of plankton in the ocean.
クジラはプランクトンを食べる。
Whales eat plankton.
Specifically phytoplankton, the plant-like plankton that perform photosynthesis.
Specifically zooplankton, the animal-like plankton that consume other organisms.
Loanword from English 'plankton', ultimately from German 'Plankton', derived from Greek 'planktos' meaning 'drifting'.