Diatom. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a diatom's (Aulacodiscus sp.) cell wall, or frustule. The diatoms are a group of photosynthetic, single-celled algae containing about 10,000 species. They form an important part of the plankton at the base of the marine and freshwater food chains. The characteristic feature of diatoms is their intricately patterned, glass- like or frustule. The frustule often has rows of tiny holes, known as striae. Magnification: x3750 when printed 10 centimetres wide.