Diatoms are mostly asexual members of the phytoplankton. Diatoms lack any organelles that might have the 9 + 2 pattern. They obtain their nutrition from functional chloroplasts, and each diatom is encased within two porous, glasslike valves. Which question would be most important for one interested in the day-to-day survival of individual diatoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The question is asking about the day-to-day survival of individual diatoms, and the most important factor for their survival is their ability to stay in the upper, well-lit waters where they can photosynthesize. Diatoms have a lower density than water, so they tend to sink, but their glasslike valves offer some buoyancy. However, they still need to actively regulate their position in the water column to avoid being buried in sediment or sinking into poorly lit waters. Therefore, understanding how diatoms keep from sinking into poorly lit waters is the most important question for their day-to-day survival.

Diatoms Are Mostly Asexual Members of the Phytoplankton