What are diatoms?
Q: What are diatoms?
A: Diatoms are tiny eukaryotic algae that are a common type of phytoplankton.
Q: What is unique about the cell wall of diatoms?
A: The cell wall of diatoms is unique because it is made of silica (SiO2), and is called "frustules."
Q: What is the significance of the split between the asymmetrical sides of diatoms?
A: The split between the asymmetrical sides of diatoms is the reason they are called "diatoms."
Q: What is the other group of single-celled organisms in the sea besides diatoms?
A: The other great group of single-celled organisms in the sea besides diatoms is coccoliths.
Q: Where are diatoms found besides in the sea?
A: Diatoms are also found in some soils and in some waterways on land.
Q: How much oxygen do living diatoms make each year, approximately?
A: Living diatoms make about 20 to 50 percent of the oxygen produced on the planet each year.
Q: What are some practical uses for diatoms?
A: Diatom communities are a popular tool for monitoring environmental conditions, past and present, and they are commonly used in studies of water quality. They are also of interest to nanotechnology.
