Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2006, Volume 27
Charlie Drewes
Abstract
Microfossils are small, fossilized remains of organisms (animal, plant, or protozoa) that require magnification for study. They usually derive from the hard parts of organisms (skeletons, shells, jaws, teeth, seed coverings, etc), and may be imbedded in rock or exist as loose particles within soft substrate. Research studies of microfossils provide insights into ecological and evolutionary relationships among plant and animal communities that existed on earth hundreds of millions of years ago. Microfossils also provide excellent hands-on material for science classroom education in general biology, evolution, and earth sciences. The theme of this lab inquiry is biological, rather than geological. Focus is on retrieval, identification, and characterization of selected microfossils ranging in size from about 0.2 to 2.0 mm. Through hands-on discovery and examination of microfossil specimens, students should gain new insights and greater appreciation of the richness of marine biodiversity from the Devonian Period (ca. 375-400 MYA).
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