Diatom

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-007881",
  "term": "Diatom",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Microscopic algae with cell walls made of silicon and have two separating halves.\n\n2. Unicellular or colonial algae with a siliceous cell wall. The abundance of diatoms in phytoplankton samples is expressed as the number of cells per milliliter (cells/mL) or biovolume in cubic micrometers per milliliter (μm^3/mL). The abundance of diatoms in periphyton samples is given in cells per square centimeter (cells/cm^2) or biovolume per square centimeter μm^3/cm^2).\n\n3. The common name for the phylum of microscopic unicellular stramenopiles. Most are aquatic, being found in fresh, brackish, and salt water. Diatoms are noted for the symmetry and sculpturing of their siliceous cell walls. They account for 40% of phytoplankton, but not all diatoms are planktonic.\n\n4. A major group of algae with distinctive, transparent cell walls made of hydrated silica.\n\n5. Microscopic algae with plate-like structures made of silica. Diatoms are considered a good food source for zooplankton.\n\n6. Microscopic algae with cell walls made of silicon and of two separating halves.",
  "subject": "Water",
  "references": [
    "Aquatic Biodiversity Glossary; Biocriteria Glossary",
    "USGS Water Resources Data State, 2005 Definition of Terms",
    "NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)",
    "DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Bioenergy Glossary",
    "Chesapeake Bay Glossary",
    "NSTEPS Online Glossary of Terms; Glossary of Wetland Bioassessment Terms"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/diatom/"
}