Explain the difference betwwen the types of organisms that make up these classes plankton, nekton, and benthos

Question

environmental science

Answer 1

Plankton float near the surface, and use sunlight.

Nekton can move freely, like fish.

Benthos are on the bottom where there is little light, such as hot, sulphurous vents that support many types of worms.

Answer 2

Plankton and Nekton swim in the ocean, while benthos live at the bottom of the ocean.  This is where most of the nutrients are and there is the least sunlight.  There are different levels- which contain different nutrient levels.

Nekton "(nektos= swimming, include all animals capable of moving independantly of the ocean currents, by swimming or other means of propulsion)." Adult squid, marine reptiles, marine mammals, and adult fish are included in this class."

Plankton (planktos= wandering, include all organisms that drift with the ocean currents). These organisms can swim and include phytplanktom and diatoms.  

Benthos (benthos= bottom) organisms live on the ocean bottom. They use the nutrients present at the level at which they are living since they  cannot perform photosynthesis, due to lack of light.

Hope this helped.