group of microscopic algae that have rigid cell walls composed of silica. They are an important part of the food chain.

A microscopic, single celled plant growing in marine or fresh water. Diatoms have siliceous skeletons of a great variety of forms that may accumulate in sediments in enormous numbers.

Single celled protists with silica shells.

One-celled algae with cell walls of silica. Diatoms make up the first links in the aquatic food chain.

members of the Bacillariophyta; a diverse group of photosynthetic algae having an ornate silica-containing cell wall and which are common in open oceans

single-celled phytoplankton with an external skeleton made of silica

Unicellular (single cell), microscopic algae with a rigid (box-like) internal structure consisting mainly of silica.

Photosynthetic microalgae with siliceous cell walls

A kind of algae.

minute planktonic unicellular or colonial algae with skeletons containing silica.

Major phytoplankton group whose organisms are enclosed within a secreted shell of silicon. !-- assign table width based on how this page is called close_it();

single-celled algae with ornamented silica cell walls. Diatoms are very common in both marine and fresh waters.

Any number of microscopic algae whose cell walls consist of two box-like parts or valves and contain silica.

group of single-celled chrysophyte algae

Microscopic, unicellular (single celled), golden-brown algae. They are found practically everywhere, including marine, brackish, fresh water, soil, and ice environments. They are characterized by a 'pill box' style skeleton (frustule) composed of opaline silica. The opaline silica is unstable and begins to convert to cristobalite as the diatom-bearing sediment is buried and temperatures rise. The frustule is dissolved and the record of the organism is lost.

Microscopic algae with plate like structures composed of silica. Diatoms are considered a good food source for zooplankton.

A major type of phytoplankton that have cell walls made of silica and shaped into two halves.

Tiny, single-celled or colonial algae with skeletons made of silica that either drift with the motion of the water or are attached to surfaces.

Single-celled algae or phyto plankton. Diatoms sometimes coat the undersides of blue whales and other cetaceans, giving them a yellowish sheen.

Major phytoplankton group whose organisms are enclosed within a secreted shell of silicon. close window

Algae of the Phylum Bacillariophyta. Microscopic unicellular algae occurring singly or grouped in colonies. Diatoms usually have thick, ornate siliceous cell walls. The cell walls form two distinct halves, like the top and bottom of a box, and they are marked with intricate, species specific patterns. [Lat. bacillus, stick + phyto, plant.] also [Gk. diatoms, alluding to the cells being connected in chains.

A class of planktonic one-celled algae with skeletons of silica. Group of microscopic algae that have rigid silica-composed cell walls. They are an important part of the food chain.

dii-ah-TOMZ) Any of various microscopic single-celled marine algae having cell walls composed of silica and consisting of two interlocking symmetrical valves.

Algae that possess a siliceous cell wall which remains preserved after the death of the organisms. They are abundant in both fresh and salt water and in a variety of soils.

phytoplankton of the class Bacillariophyceae. Diatoms are minute, unicellular or colonial algae having siliceous cell walls consisting of two overlapping, symmetrical parts.

one of most common groups of phytoplankton; single-celled organism that reproduces asexually.

Single-celled microscopic plants with hard "shells" of silica.

A class of algae characterized by silicified skeletons.

An organism that commonly forms brown films on aquarium glass or rocks. Diatoms form their shells from silicate, and can be controlled to some degree by preventing the addition of this compound through the use of purified water.

Golden-brown algae that make intricate siliceous shells, which are found in lake plankton and attached to wood and rocks along shorelines. Many diatoms grow in cool water and low light, and are often abundant in winter and early spring in temperate lakes. Diatoms are nutritious food for planktonic animals and are important components of a healthy food chain in lakes. The shells preserve well in sediments and can be used in studies of lake history.

A unicellular form of algae Ectoparasites: A parasite that lives on the outside of the host

Small mobile plants (algæ) with silicified (silica, sand, quartz) skeletons. They are among the most abundant phytoplankton in cold waters.