A Virtual Pond Dip

Note: If visiting this page directly, it is designed to be used with the virtual dip in the jar of pond water.

Diatoms (single-celled)     Further details: 'Those who live in glass houses'

Name (phylum): Diatoms Size : wide range amongst species ca 5 - 500 µm Where to find them : Planktonic, or attached to plants; often form brown crusts on surfaces under water e.g. stones, plant stems. Notes : Diatoms have silica shells in two halves that fit together like an old pill-box. The shell (the frustule) often has very fine structure (which is best seen in commercially prepared slides of diatoms). The optical microscope is pushed to the limit to resolve the detail in some species. Classification : Kingdom - Protoctista, Phylum - Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) Return to the Pond Dip