What is another word for diatom?
Pronunciation: [dˈa͡ɪətəm] (IPA) 
Diatoms are a type of single-celled algae that are commonly found in freshwater and marine environments. These tiny organisms are characterized by their unique silica shells, which give them a distinctive appearance and are often used for identification purposes. Synonyms for the word diatom include microalgae, phytoplankton, and planktonic algae. Other related terms include coccolithophores, which are a type of marine algae that produce calcified plates instead of silica shells, and dinoflagellates, which are another type of single-celled organism commonly found in marine environments. Despite their small size, diatoms play an important role in aquatic ecosystems by serving as a food source for other organisms and by contributing to the global carbon cycle through photosynthesis.
