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Foraminiferans . By Jeremy Sweeney. What Are Foraminiferans?. A Foraminifera is a microscopic single cell Protist. More specifically a foraminifera is pseudopodium, a member of the ameba family. They can live in both a freshwater or saltwater environment.
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Foraminiferans By Jeremy Sweeney
What Are Foraminiferans? • A Foraminifera is a microscopic single cell Protist. • More specifically a foraminifera is pseudopodium, a member of the ameba family. • They can live in both a freshwater or saltwater environment. • Foraminiferans can reproduce asexually or sexually
Structure • Foraminifera are single celled organisms • Each Foraminifera has a Calcium Carbonate shell. The top left image shows the shell (The yellow ring) surrounded by its dinoflagellates • The spindles shown in the picture are called dinoflagellates; they are constructed of cytoplasm and are used mostly for propulsion and to capture food.
The Use Of Pseudopodia • Just watch the first forty seconds of the video. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Lm9hUj2h_0&feature=related
Importance • Foraminiferans are a common food source for many different animals • The Calcium Carbonate shells over a long period of time build up over reefs to form Cays. A Cay is a small island that is formed on a reef. • The Calcium Carbonate shell is an important component of Calcareous Ooze.
Calcareous Ooze • Calcareous Ooze is an important component of the ocean flour. • The ooze is very mineral rich and provides food for many filter feeding organisms • The ooze is exposed to extreme pressure it can form sandstone overtime. • This image is a zoomed in image of Calcareous Ooze.
Review Questions • In your own words what are Foraminiferans? • What is the term for the tentacles of the Foraminiferans? • How many cells are in a Foraminifera? • Why is Calcareous Ooze important (list two reasons)? • How do Foraminiferans reproduce? • What forms from a build up of Calcium Carbonate shells?
Hoped You Enjoyed The Show • If you Have any outside questions feel free to ask me.