8. Which of the following related subjects is listed as a broader term?
A. Palynology
B. Phytogeography
C. Paleontology
D. Paleoclimatology
To find out which of the listed subjects is a broader term, we need to understand what a broader term means. In library science and information retrieval, a broader term refers to a term that represents a more general or inclusive concept. It encompasses the narrower terms within its scope.
To determine the broader term among the listed subjects, we can examine their respective definitions:
A. Palynology: the study of pollen and spores
B. Phytogeography: the study of the distribution of plants
C. Paleontology: the study of prehistoric life through the examination of fossils
D. Paleoclimatology: the study of past climates and climate change
By comparing the definitions, we can see that the broader term should encompass the concepts mentioned in the other subjects.
From the given options, the broader term among the listed subjects is Paleontology (C). Paleontology not only involves the study of prehistoric life but also includes the examination of fossils, which are relevant to the other subjects (Palynology, Phytogeography, and Paleoclimatology).