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Diatom frustules (SEM)
Diatom frustules. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of the internal surface of a diatom frustule of Cymbella gastroides. The tiny diatom inside the cymbella is navicula sp. Diatoms are a group of photosynthetic, single-celled algae containing about 10, 000 species. They form an important part of the plankton at the base of the marine and freshwater food chains. The characteristic feature of diatoms is their intricately patterned, glass-like cell wall, or frustule. The frustule often has rows of tiny holes, known as striae. Magnification x3630 (x900 at 10cm wide).
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