What type of rock is formed from the accumulation of biological debris?

Bioclastic sedimentary rock is formed primarily from the accumulation of biological debris, which includes materials such as shells, coral, and plant fragments. These rocks are a product of the sedimentation process where organic materials accumulate in environments like oceans, lakes, or riverbeds, and eventually become compacted and cemented together over time.

The biological components can provide significant insight into the environmental conditions at the time of their formation, as they often reflect the organisms that were present and the types of ecosystems that existed. The processes of lithification, which involves compaction and cementation of sediments, are key to turning these biological deposits into solid rock.

In contrast, igneous rocks originate from the cooling and solidification of magma or lava; metamorphic rocks result from the alteration of existing rock types due to heat and pressure; and granite is a specific type of igneous rock composed mainly of quartz and feldspar, not formed from biological debris. Therefore, bioclastic sedimentary rock distinctly represents the accumulation and transformation of biological materials into rock.