Living Inside a Glass Box — Silica in Diatoms

Abstract

A review on silica in protozoa, sponges, higher plants, but esp. in diatoms. The diatom lineage contains the most beautiful, delicate eukaryotic organisms that are usually classified as algae. Investigations on diatoms provide insights into the mechanism of the nucleation and polymn. of an amorphous material whose structures can function as templates and are thus necessary for building up the beautiful and robust skeletons. [on SciFinder(R)]