DIATOMS
CHARACTERISTICS
INTRODUCING ME…
Characteristic # 1
Diatoms are…
the most abundant
species in AQUATIC/
moist ecosystems
http://www.jm-derochette.be/images/Diatoms/Diatoms_1.jpg
Characteristic # 2
Azpeitia tabularis
Diatoms are…
Important:
• Fucoxanthin
Photosynthetic
autotrophs
http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/16036/enlarge,
http://berryberryeasy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Photoautotrophs.jpg
Characteristic # 3
Diatoms are…
Psammodictyon panduriforme
UNICELLULAR
PROTISTS/ alga/
phytoplankton
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C97NrIblNPQ/TTkPj0DIgZI/AAAAAAAAB38/QYLupyEthaw/s640/Diatom007.jpg,
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/botanicalsciences/majordivisions/kingdomprotista/Protists/98258d
.jpg
Characteristic # 4
Diatoms are…
Triceratium sp.
Biddulphia tridens
The most beautiful creatures
on
earth
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/15909/350wm/B3050211-Diatom_alga,_SEM-SPL.jpg,
http://cdn.indulgy.com/78/b3/Q8/210684088788027965687KsAPSc.jpg
STRUCTURAL
CHARACTERISTICS
THAT’S WHAT MAKES THEM BEAUTIFUL!
Structural Characteristic # 1
Diatoms have…
Epitheca
Hypotheca
Stichodiscus sp.
Functions:
• Filtration/ Disinfection
• Industry (eg. toothpastes,
soap)
• Gives them shape (boatlike, rod-like, disk-like,
triangle-like)
• Gives them color
Glass-like Cell
walls(Frustule)with
silica (siO2)
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/15918/530wm/B3050220Diatom_alga,_SEM-SPL.jpg
Structural Characteristic # 1
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/GeolSci/micropal/images/diat/diadiag01.gif
Structural Characteristic # 2
Diatoms have…
Functions:
• Photosynthesis
• Primary Food Source
• Vitamin D Source
Chlorophyll-like plastids
inside their cells
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/chlorophyll/chphyll.gif
Structural Characteristic # 3
Diatoms have…
Functions:
• Oil production
• Floating
• Oil Deposits under the
ocean
fuel
• Storage of chemical energy
from photosynthesis
• Nitrogen production
Oil drops made of
sugar & starch and
volutin inside their cells
Structural Characteristic # 4
Diatoms have…
Functions:
• Oxygen and Nitrogen
Distribution
• Exchange of materials
Pores with
patterns on their
frustules
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_C97NrIblNPQ/TTkbPZID0nI/AAAAAAAAB4s/cyjz8FLyF_g/s640/
rad_diatoms.jpg
Structural Characteristic # 4
Diatoms have…
Effects:
• Immobility
Aulacodiscus oregonus
NO cilia and
flagella
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/15915/530wm/B3050217Diatom_alga,_SEM-SPL.jpg
Structural Characteristic # 5
Diatoms have…
Nitzschia reinholdii
Actinocylcus sp.
Types:
• Centric
• Pennate
Different sizes
and shapes
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_C97NrIblNPQ/TTkiNLuvrEI/AAAAAAAAB5c/9KwK-vMrG8/s400/Diatom-2.jpg, http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/15921/530wm/B3050223-
HABITAT
SOMEWHERE ONLY THEY KNOW
Habitats
Diatoms live in…
http://www.allabouthappylife.com/wallpaper/widescreen_wallpapers/blue_water/blue_ocea
n-dsc05506.jpg, https://cmsdata.iucn.org/img/freshwater_6352.jpg
Habitats
Habitats
Diatoms live in…
NO cilia and
flagella
http://www.scienceclarified.com/images/uesc_04_img0211.jpg
Habitats
http://cornellbiochem.wikispaces.com/file/view/Picture_1.png/139679067/301x313/
Picture_1.png
NUTRITION
MAKULAY ANG BUHAY SA SINABAWANG
GULAY!
Nutrition
Diatoms are…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__xEh1FrhLM,
http://mrhartansscienceclass.pbworks.com/f/1328587105/10-20-PhotosynthesisRev-L.gif
REPRODUCTION
I JUST HAD… (BLEEP)!
Asexual Reproduction
The shrinking phase
1. Cell division takes place.
2. The two valves (epitheca and hypotheca) separate.
3. Each valve forms an epivalve of the daughter cell while
hypovalves are secreted from the parent cells.
4. This results to one cell being the same size as the parent
cell while the other is smaller.
5. This process continues until cells reach about 30%-40%
of their original size.
Asexual Reproduction
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/phytoplankton/images/diatom_asexual.j
pg
Sexual Reproduction
The growth phase
1. Meiotic Cell division
• Formation of eggs and monoflagellated sperms in
the parent cell
2. Fertilization
• Union of egg and sperm produces auxospore
3. Auxospore/Zygote Formation (Growth Phase)
• Splitting of the parent cell while continuing to grow
4. Test Secretion
• End of growth phase; new parent cell develops
Sexual Reproduction
http://rbgweb2.rbge.org.uk/algae/auxospores/auxospore_files/cycle_reproduction.jpg
Reproductive Cycle
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Centric_diatom_lif
e-cycle.jpg/580px-Centric_diatom_life-cycle.jpg
Resting Spores
The inactivity phase
Skeletonema marinoi
When: Times of low nutrients
and low sunlight
What: Metabolically inactive
spores
How: Stored energy from
photosynthetic products &
thick and tough cell walls
Where: At the bottom of the
ocean
http://images.sciencedaily.com/2011/03/110301111658-large.jpg
ECOLOGY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY!
Ecological Role # 1
Primary producers
http://oceansjsu.com/images/exped_ecoystems/arctic_marine_food_web_90.jpg
Ecological Role # 2
Important resource
•
•
•
•
•
•
20%-25% of the world’s carbon fixation
40% of the world’s oxygen (in the atmosphere)
Vitamin D
23% of primary productivity in the world
Oil/Fuel
Silicon (SiO2)
Ecological Role # 3
Nutrient detector
PLANKTON BLOOM – when there is an abundance of
nutrients and excessive amount of sunlight in the ocean
http://oceansjsu.com/images/exer8/plankt1.gif
EXAMPLES
I’M NEVER CHANGING WHO I AM!
Example # 1
Triceratium moreirae
Where: (mentioned)
Southern Brazil
Who: L.F. Fernandes and
R.M. Sousa-Nosimann
When: 2001
What: 47-61 μm; convex,
tripolar valves; elevated
with ocellus and
rimoportula
http://www.scielo.br/img/fbpe/rbbio/v61n1/a20fig6b.gif
Example # 2
Lithodesmium undulatum
Where: warm, temperate
seas
Who: C.G. Ehrenberg
When: 1839
What: 37-93 μm; marginal
ridge with clear pattern of
perforation; undulated
sides; ‘wavy’
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/15919/530wm/B3050221Diatom_alga,_SEM-SPL.jpg
Example # 3
Baceteriastrum delicatulum
Where: (mentioned)
Mexico, Lebanon, UK,
Red Sea
Who: Cleve
When: 1897
What: 20-40 μm; circular
valves with bristles;
‘spider-like’
http://www.sciencephoto.com/image/15931/large/B3050233-Diatom_alga,_SEMSPL.jpg
Sources
Becker, J. (1996). Diatom Reproduction. Retrieved October 26, 2012,
from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute:
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/john/basics/r
epro.htm
Biggs, A., Kapicka, C., & Lundgren, L. (1995). Biology: The Dynamics of
Life. Ohio: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill.
Braby, C. E. (2001). Diatoms. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from Monterey
Bay Aquarium Research Institute:
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/phytoplankton/phytop
lankton_diatoms.htm
Braby, C. E. (2001). Diatoms Asexual Reproduction. Retrieved October
26, 2012, from Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute:
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/phytoplankton/phytop
lankton_diatom_asexual.HTM
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/scan11.jpg
Sources
Cuvelier, D. (2005, July 8). Bacteriastrum delicatulum Cleve, 189.
Retrieved October 27, 2012, from World Register of Marine
Species:
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=1641
08
Essenfield, B., Gontang, C., & Moore, R. (1996). Biology, 2nd Edition. US:
Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.
Fernandes, L., & de Souza-Mosimann, R. (2005, May 22). Triceratium
moreirae Sp Nov And Triceratium dubium Triceratiaceae
Bacillariophy. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from Biblioteca:
http://biblioteca.universia.net/html_bura/ficha/params/title/tri
ceratium-moreirae-sp-nov-and-triceratium-dubiumtriceratiaceae-bacillariophyta-from/id/272002.html
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/scan11.jpg
Sources
Frazer, & Jennifer. (2010, March 28). Diatoms, or The Trouble With Life
in Glass Houses. Retrieved October 26, 2012, from The Artful
Amoeba: http://theartfulamoeba.com/2010/03/28/diatoms-orthe-trouble-with-life-in-glass-houses/
Guiry, M. (2004, October 11). Triceratium moreirae. Retrieved October
27, 2012, from Seaweed Africa:
http://www.seaweedafrica.org/search/species/detail/?species_id
=140330
Guiry, M., & Guiry, G. (2002, April 23). Species Detail. Retrieved October
27, 2012, from Algaebase:
http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=38
373
Kaskel, A., Hummer, P. J., & Daniel, L. (1992). Biology: An Everyday
Experience. USA: Merrill Publishing Company.
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/scan11.jpg
Sources
Kuylenstierna, M., & Karlson, B. (2006, September 15). Lithodesmium
undulatum. Retrieved October 27, 2012, from SMHI:
http://www.smhi.se/oceanografi/oce_info_data/plankton_check
list/diatoms/lithodesmium_undulatum.htm
Life XMU. (n.d.). Centric & Pennate template. Retrieved October 27,
2012, from Life XMU:
http://life.xmu.edu.cn/diatom/diatomphoto/Centric%20diatoms
/htmldir/0000008e.htm
Miller, K., & Levine, J. (2008). Biology: the Dragonfly Book. US: Prentice
Hall.
Oktar, A. (2011, April 1). The Microscopic living being that forms the oil
fields: Diatom. Retrieved October 26, 2012, from Harun Yahya:
http://harunyahya.com/en/works/40358/the-microscopic-livingbeing-that
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/scan11.jpg
Sources
Pece. (2011, January 20). PSYCHEDELIC DIATOMS. Retrieved October
26, 2012, from Predict Weather @ Blogspot:
http://predictweather.blogspot.com/2011/01/psychedelicdiatoms.html
Prescott, L. M., Harley, J., & Klein, D. (2005). Microbiology. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
Science Photo Library. (n.d.). Jewels of the Sea. Retrieved October 26,
2012, from Science Photo Library:
http://www.sciencephoto.com/set/1277/jewels-of-the-sea
Seeberg-Elverfeldt, I. A. (2004). Laminated diatomaceous sediments of
the Red Sea, their composition and significance as recorders of
abrupt changes in productivity and circulation during the Late
Quaternary. Bremen, Germany.
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/scan11.jpg
Sources
Shin, J. (1999). Intro to Diatoms. Retrieved October 26, 2012, from
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute:
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/intro
a.htm
* Photo sources are inserted in the slides.
http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/scan11.jpg