Anna Kuester Ms. Joy Mollenhauer Life Science 11 December 2017 Hydrosera Whampoensis Report The protist I chose was the diatom Hydrosera Whampoensis. I chose this diatom because of its interesting shape. Diatoms are protists that live in water. Different species of diatoms live in different types of water. Diatoms are photosynthetic, which means they make their own food in the same way that plants do. Most diatoms have golden-brown pigment in them. The cell walls of diatoms are made of silica. Silica is, in essence, glass. Each species of diatom has a unique pattern of small holes in their cell wall called a frustule. The organisms use these holes to get rid of waste and absorb nutrients. All diatoms also have siliceous or glasslike exoskeletons in two halves that fit perfectly inside each other to form a glasslike box around the organism Diatoms are important for several reasons. First, they are are a major food source for marine and freshwater organisms. Secondly, they are a major producer of oxygen, and make 20% of carbon fixation. Thirdly, they are used in the making of household goods such as pest extermination products and abrasives. And lastly, they act as indicator organisms, showing climate change in the environment. Without diatoms, it …show more content…
From the valve view, or top view, it is shaped like the Star of David, with two superimposed triangles. From the girdle view, or side view, it is thick and you can see two or three layers. Live colonies of Hydrosera Whampoensis connect together in chains. This species of diatom can live in many different types of water, including freshwater, saltwater, and swamps. Hydrosera Whampoensis are often confused with another diatom, Hydrosera Triquetra because they are similar in shape. However, Hydrosera Triquetra lives in ony tropical, saline waters, while Hydrosera Whampoensis lives in different types of