What best describes the role of a zooplankton in food web?

Zooplanktons feed on microscopic protists and tiny plant called phytoplankton at the base of the food chain or food web. They act as intermediaries, transforming plant biomass into animal biomass which can be readily used by organisms at a higher trophic level. Therefore, in the ocean ecosystem, primary consumers such as zooplankton play a critical role in channeling energy between primary producers (phytoplankton) and secondary consumers like vertebrates and even top predators like dolphins.