No, zooplankton do not make their own food. They are heterotrophs, meaning they obtain their food from other organisms.

Here's why:

* Lack of Chlorophyll: Zooplankton lack chlorophyll, the pigment that plants use to capture sunlight for photosynthesis.

* Feeding on Others: Instead of producing their own food, zooplankton consume other organisms, like phytoplankton (microscopic algae), bacteria, and even other zooplankton.

In short, zooplankton are like tiny animals in the ocean, relying on other organisms for their energy and nutrients.