The Following Questions Refer to the Description and Table 28

The following questions refer to the description and Table 28.1 below.
Diatoms are encased in Petri-plate-like cases (valves) made of translucent hydrated silica whose thickness can be varied. The material used to store excess calories can also be varied. At certain times, diatoms store excess calories in the form of the liquid polysaccharide, laminarin, and at other times, as oil. Below are data concerning the density (specific gravity) of various components of diatoms, and of their environment.
Table 28.1: Specific Gravities of Materials Relevant to Diatoms
$$\begin{array} { l l } \text { Material } & \text { Specific Gravity } ( \mathrm { kg } / / \mathrm { m }^{3} ) \\\text { Pure water } & 1000 \\\text { Seawater } & 1026 \\\text { Hydrated silica } & 2250 \\\text { Liquid laminarin } & 1500 \\\text { Diatom oil } & 910\end{array}$$
-Typically as cells grow, their increase in volume outpaces their increase in surface area, and continued survival requires undergoing asexual reproduction to reestablish a healthy surface area to volume ratio. Thus, which of these is least likely to contribute to the ability of a single-celled foraminiferan to grow to a diameter of several centimeters?

A) Its threadlike pseudopods dramatically increase its surface area to volume ratio.
B) Its symbiotic algae provide oxygen to the cytoplasm.
C) Its symbiotic algae absorb metabolic waste products from the cytoplasm.
D) Its symbiotic algae provide glucose to the cytoplasm.
E) Its calcium carbonate test contributes extra mass.

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