I own a 75 gallon, saltwater fish tank. In that tank we have fish, crabs, shrimp, snails and corals. In order to keep these creatures alive and growing, its im

I own a 75 gallon, saltwater fish tank. In that tank we have fish, crabs, shrimp, snails and corals. In order to keep these creatures alive and growing, its important to have the correct lighting, temperature and food source. Zooplankton plays an important role in keeping an aquarium healthy. Zooplankton; whose name drives from a Greek word meaning “drifter”, are small floating organisms that drift around in water current. Corals, mussels and various other filter-feeders eat zooplankton. Zooplankton are eaten by small fish, which are then eaten by bigger fish, as the chain continues. Zooplankton have three major groups; crusacea, rotifers, and protozoas. All play an important role in fresh and saltwater ecosystems. Zooplankton measure between two micrometers and up to 8 inches in length. Some zooplankton have adapted mechanisms to deter fish from eating then. They have adapted things like transparent bodies, bad tastes, and cyclomorphosis; which allows them to release chemicals into the water to signal other zooplankton that predators are nearby. Most zooplankton are herbivores and eat phytoplankton and algae. Others species of zooplankton eat the parasites of larger animals, such as fish. Zooplankton are sensitive to temperature changes, oxygen depletion, toxic chemicals, and other environmental issues. Because of this, scientists can use them as first indicators of environmental quality and ecological changes on our planet. Though small, these tiny creatures bridge the gap between algae and bigger organisms. Many of today’s creatures in our planets oceans wouldn’t grow and/or survive if it weren’t for zooplankton.

2. One animal organism that I found interesting was the species of multicellular Nematodes.

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Nematodes are the most plentiful multicellular animals on the planet. They are everywhere; in soil and on decomposing material, from the cold environments to the tropics, in all plant life, in almost all animals, including humans, and also insects (“Information”, 2016). Nematodes are non- segmented roundworms that possess complete digestive, excretory, nervous and reproductive systems (“Information”, 2016). Most are microscopic. The diversity of nematode forms and territories are incredible: there are more than 15,000 known species, can you imagine that! They infect everything from bugs to whales to humans. Nematodes can take the energy of living organism and cause serious diseases, even kill humans and animals. There are other nematode parasites in humans that are transmitted by eating meat that is not cooked adequately, or through contact with soil or water contaminated with feces, from humans or animals (Hay, 2016). The nematode organism known as” Wuchereria bancrofti” can cause damages to the lymphatic system and causes debilitating inflammations in different parts of the body referred to as ‘elephantiasis’. Some other species of nematodes live in the stomach of animals and prevent them from absorbing enough nutrients to grow in good health (Hay, 2016).The structural diversity of nonparasitic nematodes reflects the variety of ecologic places they occupy. Nematodes feed on bacteria, fungi, protozoans and other nematodes, and they play an important role in the cycle and release of nutrients for plant growth. Other nematodes attack insects, and help to control insect pests (Hay, 2016). A lesson learn this week is while nematodes are common and might look unimportant, and unnoticeable, they have a huge influence on our world.