The first diatom formally described in. Silica is the main component of glass and hydrated silica is very like the mineral opal, making these algae, often called algae in glass houses more like algae in opal houses. Micropalaeontology is the study of microfossils (any fossil generally less than 1mm in size). This page covers diatoms.

They have beautiful ornate cell walls made of silica.

Basically they live in glass. The diatoms are one of the largest and ecologically most significant groups of organisms on Earth. They are also one of the easiest to recognize, because of their unique cell structure, silicified cell wall and life cycle.

What is a diatom and why are they important? A diatom is a photosynthetic, single celled organism which means they manufacture their own food in the same way plants do. They are a major group of algae and form one of the most common forms of phytoplankton and join the myriad of organisms that drift . Functionally, they are single cells even though they can appear as filaments, chains, or colonies, either in the water column (phytoplankton) or attached to any single substratum (benthos).

The siliceous cell wall encloses the organs of the cell and has ornamented and complex . The International Society for Diatom Research (ISDR) promotes diatom studies throughout the world. Its goal is to facilitate the exchange of information between diatom experts by: . Diatoms are silicified algae of small size. Diatom er et ingeniør- og handelsselskab, der repræsenterer markedsledende producenter af nicheprodukter og løsninger til dansk industri. We expect a lively exchange of research findings and ideas with international colleagues from all areas of diatom research.

For the first time, the young diatomists will also have their own day of . Diatom definition, any of numerous microscopic, unicellular, marine or freshwater algae of the phylum Chrysophyta, having cell walls containing silica. These may be elongate, with a bilateral plane of symmetry, or they may be round and radially symmetrical. Many diatoms are slightly asymmetrical, though they generally fall into one of these two categories.

The oldest certain fossil diatoms are Lower Cretaceous in age. Any of a group of minute unicellular algae having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, now categorized as class Diatomophyceae or division Bacillariophyta, formerly all included in the order Diatomaceae, now obsolete. Definition of diatom – a single-celled alga which has a cell wall of silica.

Many kinds are planktonic, and extensive fossil deposits have been found. However, other microalgae interesting from a scientific or applied perspective are also included in this collection. Strains can be kept as safe deposits or public .

A body recovered from the water does not necessarily imply. 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.