Definition

A small, ancient organic fossil that is not soluble in acid and cannot be easily classified. These fossils come from one-celled marine organisms and are believed to be some of the earliest forms of complex life.

Example

The study of acritarchs provides valuable insights into the evolution of early life on Earth.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of an acritarch?

No, I haven't. What is it?

It's a type of tiny fossil that scientists study to understand early life.

That sounds fascinating! I love learning about ancient organisms.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Acritarch is formed from "acri-" (from Greek "akris", meaning sharp or pointed) and "-arch" (from Greek "archaios", meaning ancient or original). The term refers to ancient, often microscopic, organic structures that are considered to be the remains of early life forms, thus connecting the idea of sharpness or distinctiveness with ancient origins.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sharp' or 'distinct' ('acri-') and 'ancient' ('-arch') to remember that an acritarch refers to ancient, distinct life forms.

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