Definition of diatom Diatom

di•a•tom

We found 8 definitions of diatom from 7 different sources.

What does diatom mean?

Noun Plural: diatoms
diatom - microscopic unicellular marine or freshwater colonial alga having cell walls impregnated with silica
		alga, algae primitive chlorophyll-containing mainly aquatic eukaryotic organisms lacking true stems and roots and leaves
		phytoplankton photosynthetic or plant constituent of plankton; mainly unicellular algae

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diatom (Noun)
One of the Diatomaceae, a family of minute unicellular algae having a siliceous covering of great delicacy.

diatom (n.)
One of the Diatomaceae, a family of minute unicellular Algae having a siliceous covering of great delicacy, each individual multiplying by spontaneous division. By some authors diatoms are called Bacillariae, but this word is not in general use.
diatom (n.)
A particle or atom endowed with the vital principle.

diatom
Unicellular algae, some of which are colonial, green or brownish in colour (but all contain chlorophyll) and with siliceous and often highly sculptured cell walls.

diatom
dī′a-tom, n. one of an order of microscopic unicellular algæ, of the Diatomaceæ.—adj. Diatomā′ceous.—n. Diat′omite, diatomaceous earth. [Gr. diatomos—dia, through, temnein, to cut.]

Diatoms (Greek: " (dia)" = "through" + " (temnein)" = "to cut", i.e., "cut in half") are a big group of eukaryotic algae. They are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular, although some form chains or simple colonies. A characteristic feature of diatom cells is that they are encased within a unique cell wall made of silica. These walls show a wide diversity in form, some quite beautiful and ornate, but usually consist of two asymmetrical sides with a split between them, which gives the group name.