Question

What is the nature of cell walls in diatoms

Answer 1

Diatoms are a major group of algae (microalgae). Diatoms are unicellular organisms; they occur either individually as solitary or in colonies.

Complete answer:
Diatoms are eukaryotic organism. They are a type of plankton called phytoplanktons. Plankton are the collection of diverse organisms that live in large water bodies. Plankton are move by tides or water arrant. The process of construction of cell wall in diatoms is called fruitful. The cell walls of diatoms are made up of silica. When these diatoms die and decompose, the silica returns back to the earth surface in the form of diatomaceous earth. The diatomaceous earth is quite soft and inert. The cell walls of distance have two thin overlapping shells filling into each other foaming shape of a soap box. These shells have deposition of silica into their structure. Since the cell walls are constructed with silica, they are indestructible.
Diatomaceous earth is the sedimentary deposit of fossil remains of diatoms. The dead remains of plants and animals which get mixed with the upper layer of soil is called fossil.
There are various used of diatoms such as:
(a) Diatoms are used in high treatment of cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol in blood can limit blood flow and increase the risk of heart attacks.
(b) Diatoms can be used for infiltration. Filtration is a process by which suspended solid impurities are removed from water.
(c) Diatoms can be used to brush teeth or remove unwanted dead cells.
(d) Diatoms can be used to treat constipation when taken orally.

Note: The branch of life science that deals with the study of algae is called phenology. Diatoms are the eukaryotic organisms belonging to phylum. Bacillariophyta of kingdom Protista.