Diatoms (Bacillariophyta): Structure, Reproduction and Economic Importance
Diatoms (Bacillariophyta): Structure, Reproduction and Economic Importance Diatoms are microscopic, unicellular algae that belong to the phylum Bacillariophyta . They are widely distributed in nature and are found in both freshwater and marine habitats. Diatoms form a major part of phytoplankton and play an important role in aquatic ecosystems. The branch of biology that deals with the study of diatoms is known as diatomology . Occurrence of Diatoms Diatoms are found in oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, and even moist soil. Most diatoms are marine, while some are freshwater forms. They float freely in water and constitute a major portion of the primary producers in aquatic food chains. Due to the presence of oil droplets in their cytoplasm, they can float easily on the surface of water.Structure of Diatoms Diatoms are unicellular organisms and show great variation in shape. They may be spindle-shaped, rod-shaped, circular, oval, polygonal, or elongated....