EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -A frustule is a kind of cell wall. Diatoms’ cell walls, known as frustules or shells, are mostly made up of cellulose impregnated with huge amounts of glass-like silica.

Detailed explanation-2: -Phase. Each individual diatom possesses a cell wall known as a frustule that consists of overlapping halves, similar to a pillbox. Covered in delicate markings and intricate designs, diatom frustules are primarily composed of silica and are valuable for testing a microscope’s resolving power.

Detailed explanation-3: -A frustule is the hard and porous cell wall or external layer of diatoms. The frustule is composed almost purely of silica, made from silicic acid, and is coated with a layer of organic substance, which was referred to in the early literature on diatoms as pectin, a fiber most commonly found in cell walls of plants.

Detailed explanation-4: -In algae: Ecological and commercial importance. The frustules, or cell walls, of diatoms are made of opaline silica and contain many fine pores. Large quantities of frustules are deposited in some ocean and lake sediments, and their fossilized remains are called diatomite.

Detailed explanation-5: -Diatoms are photosynthesising algae, they have a siliceous skeleton (frustule) and are found in almost every aquatic environment including fresh and marine waters, soils, in fact almost anywhere moist.