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Structure
There are many varieties of phytoplankton, all of which look different from each other. However, there are some common elements in their structure. Phytoplankton need to float, as they live near the surface of the water. Thus, they often have flagella, fins or spines to keep them afloat. Some phytoplankton are full of oil, which improves buoyancy. Phytoplankton can range from 0.000039 to 0.39 inches in length.
Varieties
There many different types of phytoplankton and three groups into which they all fit. The majority are single-celled plants, some are protists --- such as algae --- and some are simple bacteria. A few of the most widely-found types of phytoplankton are dinoflagellate, green algae, cyanobacteria, coccolithophore and diatom.
Energy
Much like land-based plants, phytoplankton get their energy through a process known as photosynthesis. Put simply, this is a process in which a plant captures sunlight using the chlorophyll in its cells and turns it into energy on which to survive. During this process, phytoplankton "inhales" carbon dioxide and "exhales" oxygen. This means phytoplankton help populate the atmosphere with oxygen, which is essential for the survival of humans and other animals.
Oil
Phytoplankton have been useful to humans in another way. When phytoplankton become full of oil, they die and sink down to the ocean floor. Heat from the Earth's core and pressure from the ocean above --- over the span of millions of years --- turns the remains of these organisms into deposits of crude oil. Oil is widely used for fuel, heating and in plastics, to name just a few of its functions.