Seaweed

Seaweeds are a diverse group of organisms that live in the Earth's oceans. They are known as algae which are not plants or animals. Seaweeds are photosynthetic, which means that energy from sunlight into materials needed for growth. Instead of roots, seaweeds have hold fasts which attach them to the seafloor. Their stem is called a stipe which supports the rest of the plant. The leaves of the seaweed are called blades which provide a large surface for the absorption of sunlight. Most seaweeds have floats which photosynthetic structures of the seaweed buoyant so they can absorb energy from the sun. The entire plant body of the seaweed is known as the thallus. Seaweeds are a food source for marine animals and are nutritional base for some food webs. They also provide shelter and a home many fishes, birds, and marine mammals.

 What are diatoms?

Diatoms are photosynthesizing algae

To what division and class diatoms assigned?

Division Chrysophyta, Class Bacillariophyceae

What are the major characteristics of diatoms?

 Diatoms are commonly between 20-200 microns in diameter or length. The cell may be solitary or colonial 

Describe the life cycle of a diatom. 

When a cell divides each new cell takes as its epitheca a valve of the parent frustule, and within ten to twenty minutes builds its own hypotheca; this process may occur between one and eight times per day.

List five human uses for diatoms. 

Diatoms reduce high blood pressure, clean the human colon, lowers cholesterol, reduce one's weight, ad strengthen hair, nails, gums, and teeth.

Explain the role of diatoms in the carbon cycle.

They reduce the amount of CO2 in the air during photosynthesis.