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Secrets hidden under the water: How do diatoms form their amazing shells?
Diatoms, tiny single-celled algae that lurk in Earth's oceans, rivers and soil, are important contributors to the planet's oxygen production. According to research, diatoms contribute about 20% to 50% of oxygen every year. As they reproduce, the shell formed by diatoms in the water, called a "sheath wall," is one of its biological characteristics. But how do these magical shells form?
The sheath walls of diatoms are composed of silicates, tiny structures that provide support and protection and can divide and regenerate repeatedly in specific environments.
Basic overview of diatoms
Diatoms belong to a large group of microalgae that live widely in waters and soil around the world. These organisms, which convert light energy into chemical energy, can quickly gather in a suitable environment and reproduce asexually. Growing at a rate of doubling every 24 hours, diatoms are unique in that their outer sheath walls are made of silicon dioxide (SiO₂).
The morphology and distribution of diatoms
Diatoms are classified into two types: centric and pennate. Central-type diatoms have radial symmetry, while eccentric-type diatoms exhibit obvious bilateral symmetry. These cells range in size from 2 to 2,000 microns and often form large blooms in the water, especially during spring and fall blooms.
The sheath wall formation process of diatoms
The sheath wall of diatoms is a silicate polymer inside the cell, formed by polymerizing silicate units. When diatoms divide, each new daughter cell retains half of the sheath wall and forms a new, smaller sheath wall based on this. As asexual reproduction continues, the average size of diatoms gradually shrinks. When the gradient reaches a certain minimum size, the diatoms will return to normal size through sexual reproduction. This process is called "auxospore" formation and has important ecological significance.
The sheath wall of diatoms not only supports the structure and function, but also reflects the evolution and adaptation of organisms in nature. The study of sheath wall formation is not only related to biology, but also involves cutting-edge issues in biomaterial science.
The ecological role of diatoms
Diatoms are important primary producers in the marine food chain and support the life of a variety of marine organisms. In the ocean, diatoms can make up the majority of plankton and are indicators of environmental changes, providing support for water quality monitoring. Their growth is affected by nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which makes it easier for them to reproduce in a nutrient-rich environment and form a prosperous ecosystem.
Diversity and applications of diatom sheath walls
The sheath walls of diatoms not only vary in shape, but also vary in light transmittance and strength. These properties make diatoms important in environmental protection and scientific research, such as in filtration and water purification. This natural filter material is called diatomaceous earth and is widely used in many industrial processes.
Future research directions
Research into the formation of diatom sheaths is continuing to develop, with scientists hoping to unravel the mysteries of these tiny creatures at the genetic level. By means of genomics and molecular biology, the research team is exploring how diatoms can effectively absorb silicon in the environment and convert it into a hard cell membrane, which may not only promote the progress of materials science, but also provide us with understanding of biological messages. Provide new perspectives on transmission and evolution processes.
With the advancement of science and technology and the in-depth research on diatoms, can we unlock the secrets behind these tiny organisms in the future? Let us look forward to it together?
