A diatom (Neo-Latin diatoma) [a] is any member of a large group comprising several genera of algae, specifically microalgae, found in the oceans, waterways and soils of the world.

diatom, (class Bacillariophyceae), any member of the algal class Bacillariophyceae (division Chromophyta), with about 16,000 species found in sediments or attached to solid substances in all the waters of Earth.

Diatoms are algae that live in houses made of glass. They are the only organism on the planet with cell walls composed of transparent, opaline silica. Diatom cell walls are ornamented by intricate and striking patterns of silica.

Diatoms are single-celled algae that live nearly everywhere there is water - streams, ponds, lakes, oceans, and even soils. Classification information, citations, links and species listings for 202 genera completed to date. Identification guides, original descriptions, citations, autecological information and more for 1113 species and growing.

2018年1月21日 · Diatoms (pictured below) are a common type of unicellular phytoplankton that likely originated around the Jurassic period. Diatoms can form colonies characterized by particular shapes (e.g., stars, fans, and ribbons) and are encapsulated by a unique cell wall composed of silica, termed a frustule.

2024年4月9日 · A diatom is a tiny, single-celled algae with a hard shell made of silica, found in oceans, waterways, and soil. They play a crucial role in oxygen production, nutrient cycling, and the food web of aquatic ecosystems.

Diatoms are an incredibly diverse group of unicellular organisms containing anywhere from 20,000 to 2 million species. These organisms are unicellular and surrounded by a frustule, a silica shell made from two distinct valves that enclose the plasma membrane.

6 天之前 · The diatoms are an amazing group of organisms, part of the Stremenopile lineage of life. These photosynthetic unicells (ranging from 1 µm to over 1 mm in size) have chlorophylls a and c, and a complement of accessory pigments that include xanthophylls and carotenoids, making the living cells golden-brown in color.

2022年6月24日 · Diatom Definition. A diatom is a unicellular eukaryotic alga characterized by having a siliceous covering and a symmetrical body. Diatoms are mostly aquatic, being found in fresh, brackish, and saltwater. Some are found in moist places, such as soil. Diatoms comprise the taxonomic phylum Bacillariophyta. They may be solitary or in colonies.

Diatom is the common name for a major group of unicellular or (less commonly) colonial algae comprising the protist taxon Bacillariophyceae (or Bacillariophyta), characterized by unique cell walls of silica (hydrated silicon dioxide).