Question

Why are there so few aquatic plants and phytoplankton that live at the bottom zones in the ocean? (Use table on the right)

Answer 1

Aquatic plants and phytoplankton are scarce at the bottom zones of the ocean because there is not enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Aquatic plants and phytoplankton live in the upper levels of the ocean where there is enough sunlight for photosynthesis to occur. These organisms require sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis. As we move deeper into the ocean, less sunlight penetrates the water, and eventually, in the aphotic zone, there is too little sunlight for photosynthesis to occur. Instead, organisms in the aphotic zone rely on other sources of energy, such as chemosynthesis or consuming organic matter that has fallen from the upper levels of the water. To summarize, the scarcity of aquatic plants and phytoplankton at the bottom zones of the ocean is due to the limited availability of sunlight for photosynthesis to occur.