Question

What is the cell wall of diatoms called?

Answer 1

Diatoms:

1. A single-celled alga with a silica-based cell wall, many are planktonic, and large fossil deposits have been discovered.
2. The cell wall made of silica or hydrated silicon dioxide, as well as organic components, surrounds diatoms. A frustule is a kind of cell wall.
3. Diatoms' cell walls, known as frustules or shells, are mostly made up of cellulose impregnated with huge amounts of glass-like silica.
4. The construction is designed in such a way that it splits into two thin overlapping pieces (theca) that fit together like two halves of a soap box.
5. Epitheca refers to the upper half (lid), whereas hypotheca refers to the lower half (case).
6. The walls are sturdy and unbreakable by nature since they are encrusted with silica.
7. As a result, diatoms deposit vast volumes of cell wall deposits in their environment, which accumulate over billions of years.