Organisms

Phytoplankton

Free-floating minute organisms that are photosynthetic. The term is non-taxonomic and refers to a lifestyle (energy utilization and motility), rather than a particular type of organism. Most, but not all, are unicellular algae. Important groups include DIATOMS; DINOFLAGELLATES; CYANOBACTERIA; CHLOROPHYTA; HAPTOPHYTA; CRYPTOMONADS; and silicoflagellates.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Free-floating minute organisms that are photosynthetic. The term is non-taxonomic and refers to a lifestyle (energy utilization and motility), rather than a particular type of organism. Most, but not all, are unicellular algae. Important groups include DIATOMS; DINOFLAGELLATES; CYANOBACTERIA; CHLOROPHYTA; HAPTOPHYTA; CRYPTOMONADS; and silicoflagellates.

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Aspects Covered

17 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathogenicity, physiology, radiation effects, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

coordinate with specific organism; phototrophic bacterioplankton: index PHYTOPLANKTON + BACTERIA or specific

MeSH Record

History Note

91(71); was see under PLANKTON 1971-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Plankton (1966-1970)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. B05.080w.500w.600w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Phytoplankton. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D010839. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D010839
  2. Phytoplankton. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoplankton
  3. Phytoplankton. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q184755