Geology 105 - Paleontology
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Reading Guide: Chapter 9

Know these terms:

prokaryote autotroph pseudopod
eukaryote heterotroph fusilinid
test   diatomite

Be able to answer these questions:

1. Fill out separate Critter Charts for foraminifera, radiolarians and diatoms.

2. Why are foraminiferans so useful to geologists?

3. Look at fig. 9.7. Note the overall differences in morphology between planktonic and benthic forams.

4. How do Paleozoic forams differ from Mesozoic/Cenozoic forams (not clear in book; we'll do it in class and this source will help)?

5. Why do forams have patterns of evolution uncommon in multicellular organisms, such as punctuated gradualism (not explicitly in the book - you'll have to think about this one)?

6. How do radiolarians and forams differ in morphology?

7. Why are radiolarians less common than foraminifera in near shore sediments, and more common in deep ocean sediments?

8. Why are diatoms economically important?

9. How do foraminifera, radiolarians and diatoms differ in their environmental preferences?

10. Just know what acritarchs, dinoflagellates and coccolilthophorids are. We won't see any in lab.