Forams
The protists called foraminiferans, or forams, are named for their porous shells, called tests. Foram tests consist of a single piece of organic material hardened with calcium carbonate. The pseudopodia that extend through the pores function in swimming, test information, and feeding. Many forams also derive nourishment from the photosynthesis of symbiotic algae that live within the tests. Forams are found in both the ocean and fresh water. Most species live in sand or attach themselves to rocks or algae, but some are abundant in plankton. The largest forams, though single-celled, grow to a diameter of several centimeters. Ninety percent of all identified