ABSTRACT

Diatoms (order Bacillariophyceae) are eukaryotic, single-celled, photosynthetic algae that are present in almost every habitat on Earth (Figure 12.1). Diatoms are particularly known for the intricate geometries and spectacular patterns of their silica-based cell walls. These patterns are species-specific and are precisely reproduced during each cell division cycle, demonstrating genetic control of this biomineralization process (Kröger et al. 2000).