Foraminfera - Lecture 1

Question 1

What time period does the term ‘modern world’ cover?

Answer 1

The last 65 million years

Question 2

What kind of organism are foraminfera?

Answer 2

Protozoans which produce a chambered test

Question 3

Name two symbionts of foraminfera and why they are needed

Answer 3

Algae - Oxygen, photosynthesis Forams - Protection, nutrients

Question 4

What is the function of the protoplasm?

Answer 4

To catch food. Pseudopods capture diatoms, small anthropods, algae and bacteria

Question 5

What is the first chamber of a foraminferan shell called?

Answer 5

Proloculus

Question 6

What are the four stages in foram growth?

Answer 6

Basically it extends its pseudopods out and uses them to create a protective barrier. It then pulls back to where it wants the chamber wall to go within the protective bubble. It then forms calcite crystals to form the new chamber overall taking 6-12 hours

Question 7

Which foram has the larger proloculus, Microforam or Megaloforam?

Answer 7

Megaloforam

Question 8

What does phyletic gradualism mean?

Answer 8

Gradual change with no dramatic breaks which is great for stratigraphy

Question 9

What is meant by punctuated equilibrium?

Answer 9

Easy to identify species as there are very distinct breaks