Diatoms are diploid unicells with silica cell walls (frustules) composed of two overlapping valves ornamented with perforations, which are arranged differently in each species.

• 硅藻是二倍体的单细胞生物，具有含有果胶和二氧化硅的细胞壁，质地坚硬，由套合的具有花纹的两瓣组成，花纹的种类因物种的不同而有所差异。