Deposits of soil that are rich in silica contain microscopic shells with spines and are often used as insecticides, since the pointed spines perforate tracheae of insects.These shells are most likely to be those of
A) diatoms.
B) foraminiferans.
C) corals.
D) radiolarians.
E) alveolates.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Diatoms are single-celled organisms that have a hard, silica-based shell called a frustule. This frustule typically has intricate and distinct patterns that make them easily identifiable. These shells also have pointed spines that can be used as insecticides as they can perforate the tracheae of insects. Foraminiferans, corals, radiolarians, and alveolates all have shells or structures, but they are not typically rich in silica, nor do they have the same kind of spines that diatoms do.

Deposits of Soil That Are Rich in Silica Contain Microscopic