What are the structure of diatoms?

Diatoms are characterised by a unique feature: a cell wall composed of silica, which fits together in two halves like a box. The lid and base of the box are known as valves, which are connected by a girdle, and the whole structure is known as a frustule.

What is inside a diatom?

Diatom cells are contained within a unique silica cell wall known as a frustule made up of two valves called thecae, that typically overlap one another. The biogenic silica composing the cell wall is synthesised intracellularly by the polymerisation of silicic acid monomers.

What is the cell wall structure of diatoms?

The cell walls of diatoms consist of a silica frustule encased in an organic coating.

Do diatoms have cell walls?

Diatoms are single-celled algae 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.

What are the important morphology of diatoms?

Diatoms are identified primarily from morphological characteristics of their glass cell walls. Therefore, we clean diatom collections of organic matter, both the cell cytoplasm and extracellular secretions and non-diatom organic matter in the samples, prior to examination of their walls.

Is diatoms autotrophic or heterotrophic?

Diatoms are unicellular, colonial, or filamentous autotrophic organisms that live in marine and freshwater habitats. Diatoms are heterokonts, but typically lack flagella, except on gametes.

What is the function of the cell wall in a diatoms?

Thus, the defensive role of a silicified cell wall in diatoms appears to primarily provide partial protection against grazers that crush the cells.

What do diatoms look like under a microscope?

Diatoms are photosynthetic organisms referred to as algae with a length/diameter of between 2 and 500 microns. The hydrated silica that makes the cell wall of these organisms looks more like opal, which is transparent, forming what resembles a glass house for the algae.

Are diatoms autotrophic?