Diatoms
A diatom is a photosynthetic protist that has an ornate silica shell. Silica is a glassy material and contributes to the beautiful and intricate shells you can see of the diatoms (notice the banner image at the top of this lesson). Despite the appearance of the shell, these organisms are still unicellular. Diatoms are considered to be an algae and are one of the most common components of phytoplankton (photosynthetic plankton).
The remains of diatoms are called diatomaceous earth, which accumulates on the ocean floor. Diatomaceous earth is used as filtering agents, soundproofing materials, and gentle polishing abrasives like those found in your toothpaste. (check to see if your toothpaste contains these creatures' bodies!)
If you cannot see the video below, you can find it within the assignment folder.
The remains of diatoms are called diatomaceous earth, which accumulates on the ocean floor. Diatomaceous earth is used as filtering agents, soundproofing materials, and gentle polishing abrasives like those found in your toothpaste. (check to see if your toothpaste contains these creatures' bodies!)
If you cannot see the video below, you can find it within the assignment folder.