| Cell size |
Diatoms are commonly between 20-200 microns in diameter or length, although sometimes they can be up to 2 millimeters long |
| Cell wall |
SiO2or glass frustule |
| Chloroplasts |
Many/cell, 3-5 thylakoid membranes/stack |
| Photo-pigments |
Chlorophyll a & c, carotenoids |
| Reproduction: |
Most often simple cell division, sexual reproduction |
| Ecological roles |
Produce deposits (diatomaceous earth), toxicblooms |
| Common genera |
Chaetoceros,Pseudonitzschia, Skeletonema |
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