A living specimen of Actinoptychus splendens. The yellow brown plastids enable the organism to perform photosynthesis. The shallow depth of field of this photomicrograph shows the threedimensional design of this species. The cell wall is made of silica, composed of two overlapping halves that fit together like a box and lid.

  
Part of the Collection of the Diatom Display of the Micropolitan Museum © Wim van Egmond