Foraminifera: Difference between revisions

From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Jump to navigationJump to search
no edit summary
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{nscs}}
{| style="position:relative; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; float:right; clear:right; width:200px;" border="1" cellpadding="0"
{| style="position:relative; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; float:right; clear:right; width:200px;" border="1" cellpadding="0"
|-  
|-  
Line 31: Line 30:
*Reticulomyxa
*Reticulomyxa
|}
|}
== Introduction ==


The Foraminifer, which is also known as the forams for short, is a large group of ameoboid protists. They contain reticulatin pseudopods, and fine strands of cytoplasm that branch out to form a dynamic net. Forams produce a shell or test, that either consist of one or more multiple chambers. Scientist have discovered about 275,000 species, both fossil and living. They average in size from 1 millimeter to the largest recorded 19 centimeters. Data proves that Foraminifera are closely related to cercozoa and radiolaria, all together they  make up the group Rhizaria.
The Foraminifer, which is also known as the forams for short, is a large group of ameoboid protists. They contain reticulatin pseudopods, and fine strands of cytoplasm that branch out to form a dynamic net. Forams produce a shell or test, that either consist of one or more multiple chambers. Scientist have discovered about 275,000 species, both fossil and living. They average in size from 1 millimeter to the largest recorded 19 centimeters. Data proves that Foraminifera are closely related to cercozoa and radiolaria, all together they  make up the group Rhizaria.
Line 39: Line 36:
[[Image:Benthis_foraminfera.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Benthis]]
[[Image:Benthis_foraminfera.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Benthis]]


Foraminifera are primarily marine based, although many have been known to survive in brackish conditions, fresh water, and some even in damp rainforest soil. The foraminifera cell is divided up into granular endoplasm and transparent ectoplasm. The pseudopodial net that is contained in the cell maybe emerge through an opening or through many perforations in the test, and is specified by its small granules streaming in all directions. Pseudopods are used for locomotion, anchoring, and capturing food which contains small organisms such as diatoms and bacteria. A large amount of forms have an unicellular algae as endosymbionts and diverse lineages such as green algae, red algae, golden algae, diatoms, and dinoflagellates. Many of the forams known are kleptoplastic (plastids from algae are sequestered by a host organism), which then retain chloroplasts from algae to conduct photosynthesis.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foraminifera]
Foraminifera are primarily marine based, although many have been known to survive in brackish conditions, fresh water, and some even in damp [[rainforest]] soil. The foraminifera cell is divided up into granular endoplasm and transparent ectoplasm. The pseudopodial net that is contained in the cell maybe emerge through an opening or through many perforations in the test, and is specified by its small granules streaming in all directions. Pseudopods are used for locomotion, anchoring, and capturing food which contains small organisms such as diatoms and bacteria. A large amount of forms have an unicellular algae as [[endosymbionts]] and diverse lineages such as green algae, red algae, golden algae, diatoms, and [[dinoflagellates]]. Many of the forams known are kleptoplastic (plastids from algae are sequestered by a host organism), which then retain chloroplasts from algae to conduct photosynthesis.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foraminifera]


== Reproduction ==
== Reproduction ==


Forams can live up to a couple of years. Forams whith multichambered cells add on larger and larger chambers as they grow. This allows them to break apart themselves into many small pieces that do not contain shells. They will then grow flagella and swim away. It is thought that for every other generation of Foraminferas they will switch off between sexual and asexual. This then leaves things like many adults to have different body forms then their offspring.[http://www.reef.edu.au/asp_pages/secb.asp?FormNo=10]
Forams can live up to a couple of years. Forams with multichambered cells add on larger and larger chambers as they grow. This allows them to break apart themselves into many small pieces that do not contain shells. They will then grow flagella and swim away. It is thought that for every other generation of Foraminferas they will switch off between sexual and asexual. This then leaves things like many adults to have different body forms then their offspring.[http://www.reef.edu.au/asp_pages/secb.asp?FormNo=10]


== Ecology ==
== Ecology ==
[[Image:Electron_micrograph_of_foraminifera.jpg‎|thumb|150px|left|micrograph of foraminifera]]
[[Image:Electron_micrograph_of_foraminifera.jpg‎|thumb|150px|left|micrograph of foraminifera]]


The foraminifera life-cycle includes an alteration between haploid and diploid. Even though both are very different things they both are very similar in form. Haploid has a single nucleus, and divides itself so that it can produce many gametes which normally have two flagella. The diploid however is a multinucleate, and use meiosis framgents to produce new gamonts.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foraminifera]
The foraminifera life-cycle includes an alteration between haploid and diploid. Even though both are very different things they both are very similar in form. Haploid has a single nucleus, and divides itself so that it can produce many gametes which normally have two flagella. The diploid however is a multinucleate, and use meiosis fragments to produce new [[gametes]].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foraminifera]


Because of the foraminifera's diversity, abundance, and morpholgy, they can be used for biostratigraphy, and therefore can accurately give dates on rocks. Inudstry's such as oil, relies much on microfossils to find potential oil deposits. Many fossils such as the calcareous fossil, was formed in seas that they have previously lived in. this gives scientist's a useuful tool in paleoclimatology and paleoceanography. Scientists use these fossils to conduct past climates by examining the ratios of oxygen, carbon cycle, and oceanic productivity. They may also use the planktonic forams to re-create oceanic currents. Another major thing these fossils can do is reviel what type of ancient marine sediments were deposited.
Because of the foraminifera's diversity, abundance, and morphology, they can be used for biostratigraphy, and therefore can accurately give dates on rocks. Industries such as oil, relies much on microfossils to find potential oil deposits. Many fossils such as the calcareous fossil, was formed in seas that they have previously lived in. this gives scientist's a useful tool in paleoclimatology and paleoceanography. Scientists use these fossils to conduct past climates by examining the ratios of oxygen, carbon cycle, and oceanic productivity. They may also use the planktonic forams to re-create oceanic currents. Another major thing these fossils can do is reveal what type of ancient marine sediments were deposited.


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
110,311

edits

Navigation menu