The diatoms are single-celled algae. Whereas seaweed has multiple cells. So, diatoms are not seaweeds.
Diatoms:
- Silica is found in the shell wall of diatoms
- Their cell wall is referred to as a shell or frustule.
- The shell walls of diatoms overlap.
- The shells of diatoms are generally transparent in color.
- These organism's cell walls are typically made of cellulose.
- The silica particles are embedded in many places in this cellulosic cell wall. As a result, the cell wall appears to be made of silica.
- Diatoms are autotrophic organisms. Diatoms store food in the form of leucosis (chrysolaminarin) and fats (oils).