NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Consequently, diatoms are ranked anywhere from a class, usually called Diatomophyceae or Bacillariophyceae, to a division (=phylum), usually called Bacillariophyta, with corresponding changes in the ranks of their subgroups.

Detailed explanation-2: -The diatoms (Bacillariophyta) are the most species-rich group of autotrophic algae, found in fresh, brackish, and marine waters worldwide, and also in damp terrestrial habitats.

Detailed explanation-3: -Diatoms are unicellular or colonial coccoid algae belonging to the Kingdom Chromista, Phylum Bacillariophyta. Most are aquatic, occurring in the sea or in freshwater, but some occur on damp soil, mosses, trees or rocks.

Detailed explanation-4: -Classes and orders. For many years the diatoms-treated either as a class (Bacillariophyceae) or a phylum (Bacillariophyta)-were divided into just 2 orders, corresponding to the centric and the pennate diatoms (Centrales and Pennales).