noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
diatom
A type of single-celled algae with silica cell walls, found in water and soil. Used in biology and environmental science contexts.
Diatoms are important as primary producers in the ocean.
When you look at the water from this pond under a microscope, you can observe many diatoms.
Standard kanji spelling for diatom.
From 珪 (kei, 'silicon') + 藻 (sō, 'algae'), referring to the silica-based cell walls of diatoms.