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Diatoms: small, single-cell plants
that live in the Earth’s waters.
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The word diatom originates
from the Greek word "diatomos", meaning cut in two.
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Diatoms have an outer cell wall
that is comprised of silica, SiO2, which is similar to sand.
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16,000 different species exist in
locations throughout the world in both fresh and salt waters.
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In temperate areas, diatoms tend
to bloom in March or April, and then later in September.
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Unlike other kinds of algae, diatoms
tend to be a yellow-brownish color instead of green.
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Exist in ither an elongated shape,
called pennate, or a spherical shape, called centric.
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Only the pennate ones can
move, which they do by sliding back and forth.
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Diatoms reproduce asexually by dividing
in two, as there are no male or female diatoms.
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They are usually about 80 microns
in diameter.
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The scientists who study diatoms
are often fascinated by their beautiful glass outer wall, but diatoms also
have uses that mankind can take advantage of.
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