Quiz- Aquatic Ecology notes pg. 1-4 Match the role with the aquatic organism small, free-floating or weakly swimming. Some are plant like and some are animal like bottom-dwellers large, independent swimmers break down dead organisms and waste, cycling nutrients back into the water

To match the roles with the aquatic organisms, we can use the descriptions provided:<br /><br />1. **Small, free-floating or weakly swimming. Some are plant-like and some are animal-like**: This description matches **Plankton**. Plankton are typically small organisms that drift in water currents and include both phytoplankton (plant-like) and zooplankton (animal-like).<br /><br />2. **Bottom-dwellers**: This description matches **Benthos**. Benthos are organisms that live on, in, or near the bottom of water bodies like oceans, rivers, and lakes.<br /><br />3. **Large, independent swimmers**: This description matches **Nekton**. Nekton are aquatic animals that can swim freely and independently of water currents, such as fish, squid, and marine mammals.<br /><br />4. **Break down dead organisms and waste, cycling nutrients back into the water**: This description matches **Decomposers**. Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic material and waste, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.<br /><br />So, the matched roles with aquatic organisms are:<br /><br />- Small, free-floating or weakly swimming. Some are plant-like and some are animal-like: **Plankton**<br />- Bottom-dwellers: **Benthos**<br />- Large, independent swimmers: **Nekton**<br />- Break down dead organisms and waste, cycling nutrients back into the water: **Decomposers**