Definition
diatom
noun
- A single-celled aquatic alga with a hard silica shell, found in freshwater and marine environments.
Usage: biology; commonly studied in schools
Examples
- Diatoms are microscopic organisms that form the base of many aquatic food chains.
- Under a microscope, the intricate glass-like shells of diatoms are beautiful to observe.
- Diatoms produce about half of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere.
- Scientists use diatoms to assess water quality in lakes and rivers.
- The fossilized shells of ancient diatoms form deposits called diatomaceous earth.
- Diatoms contain chlorophyll and perform photosynthesis to produce their own food.