NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Diatoms are white, soft, and porous in nature, and when a diatom dies, it leaves behind shells formed of organic compounds and silica. Because diatom-derived silica has mild abrasive qualities, it is utilised in tooth powder and toothpaste.

Detailed explanation-2: -Diatoms, one of the largest groups of organisms on Earth, are unicellular algae. Scientists estimate there could be as many as 2 million species of diatoms-new species are discovered every year. Diatoms can be solitary or live in colonies that might be shaped like long chains, stars or zigzags.

Detailed explanation-3: -Many species of snails, such as the nerite snails, and even some fishes, like the suckermouth catfish can eat diatoms. Diatoms are essentially the producers in aquatic food webs. In marine systems, many zooplanktons such as snails and some small fish consume diatoms.

Detailed explanation-4: -Diatoms are single cell eukaryotic microalgae, which present in nearly every water habitat make them ideal tools for a wide range of applications such as oil explora-tion, forensic examination, environmental indication, biosilica pattern generation, toxicity testing and eutrophication of aqueous ecosystems.