A type of phytoplankton (small single celled plant floating in the water), surrounded by a 'shell' of silicate. Diatoms are particularly numerous at mid to high latitudes, where their spring bloom provides a rich food source for the larvae of many marine animals.

(di'-a-tom) A microscopic, unicellular (i.e.: single-celled) algae. Diatoms are found almost everywhere, including marine, brackish, fresh water, soil, and ice environments - and even hot springs. They secret siliceous frustules or exoskeletons in a great variety of forms.

A microscopic, single-cell form of marine or fresh-water algae, having siliceous cell walls. A body of water may contain many species of diatoms, but not all species of diatoms live in every body of water. Through painstaking examination, forensic scientists are able to identify the body of water wherein a given species of diatom lives.

is a microscopic monocellular alga, having a thin bivalved test of amorphous silica dioxide (opal), one of valves being porous. Accumulations on sea floor of these tests, being cemented, formed a very light, chiefly nonfissile, highly porous rock – diatomite.

any of about 16,000 species of eukaryotic protist forming elaborate shells

A one celled plant that lives in the shallow waters of lakes, streams or oceans. Many of these secrete a shell or internal parts composed of silica. Diatoms can occur in very large numbers and can make significant contributions to sea-floor or lake sediment.

Single-celled protistan algae of the class Bacillariophyceae that have intricate siliceous shells composed to two halves. They range in size from about 10 to 200 microns. Diatoms sometimes remain attached after cellular divisions, forming chains or colonies. These are the most numerous and important group of phytoplankters in the oceans, and form the primary food base for marine ecosystems.

1.) A microscopic plant, which secretes a silica-rich shell, which nest inside each other like two petri dishes. 2.)The common name for the Bacillariophyceae, a class of unicellular microscopic algae with a symmetrical siliceous exoskeleton (Morris 1992).

A class of unicellular algae more formally known as Bacillariophyceae that live in cold waters of relatively low salinity.

Single-celled protists with hard, silica-based shells .

A microscopic plant plankton which has silica cell walls

Microscopic organism with a hard shell that remains after the death of the organism.

Any of a taxonomic group of unicellular algae occurring in marine or fresh water, each having a cell wall made of two halves impregnated with silica.

a major phytoplankton group characterized by cells enclosed in a thin silicon shell.

microscopic unicellular marine or freshwater colonial alga having cell walls impregnated with silica

an organism that is a member of the phylum of algae called Bacillariophyta

Microscopic algae found in both salt and fresh water. By looking for different species that are suited to certain temperatures or levels of acidity, scientists can use changes in diatom populations as an indicator of climate change.

microscopic, single-celled photosynthetic organisms with an external skeleton of silica.

A single-celled plant that often floats near the surface of the ocean. It usually is the first organism in a food chain or food web. Diatoms are a common component of plankton.

microscopic algae with a siliceous or glasslike cell wall.

Single celled or colonial algae with thin double walled silica shells. Diatoms are an exceedingly important component of phytoplankton and, such as, are primary food source for aquatic animals, especially filter feeding shellfish. It is estimated that there are more than 11,500 species of diatoms.

a variety of a group of organisms called green algae

unicellular algae with shells made of silica.

Planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with skeletons made of silica

A microscopic unicellular alga (Protists) possessing an external skeleton of silica, consisting of two interlocking valves. They appear like a golden powder coating the tank to the naked eye.

A diatom is any of a class of microscopic one-celled algae having walls of silica consisting of two interlocking valves. In the home aquarium, a diatom usually appears as a golden brown algae forming sheets or films on the rocks and glass often with oxygen bubbles tangled in them. You can control the growth of diatom algae by limiting nutrients through purification of make-up water, combined with herbivores eating the diatoms, and mechanical filters trapping their fecal pellets.

One of the commonest single celled plants in the sea.

A major phytoplankton group characterised by cells enclosed in silicon frustules, or shells.

any of the the various microscopic, one-celled, marine or fresh water algae

Single celled phytoplankton that produce silica skeletons. Diatoms are one of the most abundant, widely distributed primary producers in the ocean. Different species of diatoms living in ocean and lakes have affinities for different environmental conditions such as alkalinity, available nutrients, salinity and acidity.

Single-celled algae which are an integral part of most marine ecosystems. Diatoms are often yellowish in color.

a very small, photosynthetic protist that lives in either salt water or fresh water

A major group of phytoplankton whose cells are enclosed in shells.

A type of very small algae that can be used as an indicator of water quality.

Unicellular algae with silicified cell walls

A type of microscopic algae with cell walls that contain silica.

Diatoms (Greek: (dia) = "through" + (temnein) = "to cut", i.e., "cut in half") are a major group of eukaryotic algae, and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular, although some form chains or simple colonies. A characteristic feature of diatom cells is that they are encased within a unique cell wall made of silica.