Question

Assertion (A): The cell walls of diatoms are indestructible.
Reason (R): The walls are embedded with silica.

• A. A and R are true and R is the correct explaination of A
• B. A and R are true and R is not the correct explaination of A
• C. A is true and R is false
• D. A and R are false

Answer 1

The correct option is A A and R are true and R is the correct explaination of A

In diatoms the cell walls form two thin overlapping shells, which fit together as in a soap box. The walls are embedded with silica and that is why the walls are indestructible. Due to this indestructible nature of their cell walls, diatoms have left behind large amount of cell wall deposits in their habitat which is referred to as ‘diatomaceous earth’.