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What are diatom frustules made of?
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Algae
The macroscopic genus of algae known as Acetabularia is commonly called “mermaid's wine glass” because of the distinctive umbrella-like shape of the tips of its stalks.
Diatom frustules are composed of silicified material. This cell wall structure functions like a pillbox, consisting of two overlapping halves known as the epitheca and the hypotheca. These shells are characterized by intricate, delicate patterns and are a defining feature of diatoms, which are members of the algal class Bacillariophyceae.1