Capelin are small, schooling fish that primarily feed on zooplankton. Their diet consists of a variety of small planktonic organisms, including copepods, euphausiids, amphipods, and fish larvae. Capelin also consume some phytoplankton, such as diatoms and dinoflagellates.
How do capelin get energy?
Capelin obtain energy from the food they consume. When they eat zooplankton and phytoplankton, they break down the organic matter in the food into simpler substances that can be absorbed and used by their bodies. The energy from the food is then used by the capelin for growth, reproduction, and other life processes.
Here is a more detailed look at how capelin obtain energy from their food:
1. Capelin eat zooplankton and phytoplankton.
2. The food is broken down into smaller particles in the capelin's stomach and intestines.
3. The nutrients in the food are absorbed into the capelin's bloodstream.
4. The nutrients are transported to the capelin's cells.
5. The cells use the nutrients to produce energy through cellular respiration.
Cellular respiration is the process by which cells convert food into energy. The process involves a series of chemical reactions that break down glucose, a type of sugar, into carbon dioxide and water. The energy released from these reactions is used to produce ATP, a molecule that stores energy. ATP is then used by the cells for various activities, such as muscle contraction, protein synthesis, and nerve transmission.
Capelin obtain the majority of their energy from zooplankton, but they also consume some phytoplankton. Phytoplankton are less nutritious than zooplankton, so they provide less energy. Capelin must eat more phytoplankton to obtain the same amount of energy as they would from zooplankton.
Capelin are an important part of the marine food chain. They feed on a variety of small organisms and convert their energy into biomass, which is then consumed by larger predators, such as cod, pollock, and seals.