Organisms

Diatoms

The common name for the phylum of microscopic unicellular STRAMENOPILES. Most are aquatic, being found in fresh, brackish, and salt water. Diatoms are noted for the symmetry and sculpturing of their siliceous cell walls. They account for 40% of PHYTOPLANKTON, but not all diatoms are planktonic.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The common name for the phylum of microscopic unicellular STRAMENOPILES. Most are aquatic, being found in fresh, brackish, and salt water. Diatoms are noted for the symmetry and sculpturing of their siliceous cell walls. They account for 40% of PHYTOPLANKTON, but not all diatoms are planktonic.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

See Also

MeSH Record

Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Bacillariophyta
  • Bacillariophytas
  • Diatom

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

17 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathogenicity, physiology, radiation effects, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

93

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Algae (1966-1992)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. B01w.750.200w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QW 260

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Diatoms. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D017377. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D017377
  2. Diatoms. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatom
  3. Diatoms. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q162678