When a diatom cell divides, it becomes
The correct answer and explanation is:
When a diatom cell divides, it becomes two daughter cells, each with a part of the original cell wall. This division is unique because diatoms are unicellular algae with a silica-based cell wall known as a frustule. During cell division, the frustule breaks into two halves, and each daughter cell inherits a smaller part of the original frustule. This process is a type of asexual reproduction known as binary fission.
In binary fission, the diatom cell first undergoes mitosis, where the nucleus divides to form two identical nuclei. After mitosis, the cell elongates and the frustule splits along a specific plane. One daughter cell gets the larger, older half of the frustule, while the other daughter cell forms a smaller new half. As a result, one of the daughter cells is slightly smaller than the other because it is forming a new frustule.
Diatoms have an interesting feature that impacts their division. Each time they divide, they retain a smaller part of the original silica frustule, leading to a gradual reduction in size. Over several generations, this can cause diatoms to decrease in size. To counteract this, diatoms can sometimes form a specialized cell that can grow larger and restore the normal size of the population.
The division process in diatoms allows them to rapidly reproduce and thrive in diverse aquatic environments, contributing significantly to primary production in oceans, rivers, and lakes. Their ability to divide and form intricate silica structures makes them an essential part of aquatic ecosystems, providing food for other organisms and contributing to the global carbon cycle.