foraminifer

/fəˌræməˈnɪfər/ /fɔːˌræməˈnɪfər/

Meanings

noun

Any of several large aquatic amoeboid protists, of the subphylum Foraminifera, characterized by streaming granular ectoplasm that among other things is used for catching food, often with a calcareous shell with many holes through which pseudopodia protrude.

Examples :

"The marine biologist observed a foraminifer, a tiny aquatic creature with a hard, porous shell, under the microscope. "

Related Words

biologist noun

/baɪˈɒlədʒɪst/ /baɪˈɑːlədʒɪst/

A student of biology; one versed in the science of biology.

"My sister is a biologist studying the effects of pollution on local river ecosystems. "

microscope noun

/ˈmaɪkɹəˌskəʊp/ /ˈmaɪkɹəˌskoʊp/

An optical instrument used for observing small objects.

"The student used a microscope to see the tiny cells in the plant leaf. "

protists noun

/ˈproʊtɪsts/ /ˈprɑːtɪsts/

Any of the eukaryotic unicellular organisms including protozoans, slime molds and some algae; historically grouped into the kingdom Protoctista.

"The biology teacher explained that protists, like some single-celled algae, are a diverse group of organisms. "

pseudopodia noun

/ˌsjuːdəˈpoʊdiə/ /ˌpsjuːdəˈpoʊdiə/

A temporary projection of the cytoplasm of certain cells, such as phagocytes, or of certain unicellular organisms, such as amoebas, that serves in locomotion.

"The amoeba moved across the microscope slide by extending its pseudopodia. "

subphylum noun

/ˌsʌbˈfaɪləm/

A taxonomic category below phylum and above class

"In biology class, we learned that vertebrates, like humans and birds, are classified in the subphylum Vertebrata, which is a group smaller than the phylum Chordata but larger than the class Mammalia (for humans) or Aves (for birds). "

amoeboid adjective

/əˈmiːbɔɪd/

Resembling, or characteristic of an amoeba

"The white blood cell moved across the slide in an amoeboid fashion, extending and retracting its shape to engulf bacteria. "

calcareous adjective

/kælˈkeɪriəs/ /kælˈkɛəriəs/

Resembling or containing calcium carbonate or limestone; chalky.

"The soil in this region is very calcareous, making it ideal for growing grapes used in wine production. "

foraminifera noun

/fəˌræmɪˈnɪfərə/ /fəˌræməˈnɪfərə/

Any of a large group of amoeboid protists, of the order Foraminifera, that are mostly marine.

"Scientists study foraminifera found in ocean sediments to understand past climates. "

streaming verb

/ˈstɹiːmɪŋ/

To flow in a continuous or steady manner, like a liquid.

"Sweat was streaming down his face after the intense workout. "

ectoplasm noun

/ˈɛktəˌplæzəm/

A visible substance believed to emanate from the body of a spiritualistic medium during communication with the dead.

"During the séance, the medium's ectoplasm glowed faintly, a shimmering substance that the onlookers believed proved communication with the deceased. "

granular adjective

/ˈɡɹæn.jə.lə(ɹ)/

Consisting of, or resembling, granules or grains

"a granular substance"

characterized verb

/ˈkæɹəktəɹaɪzd/

To depict someone or something a particular way (often negative).

"The teacher characterized the student as disruptive in class. "