frustule

A diatom's frustule is examined under a microscope.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A siliceous shell or cell wall of a diatom: In botany, a "frustule" is the hard, glass-like outer covering of a single-celled alga called a diatom. It consists of two overlapping halves (like a Petri dish) and is made primarily of silica.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Under the microscope, the diatom's frustule appeared intricately patterned. (The silica shell showed detailed ornamentation.)
  • Frustules are preserved in sediment for millions of years due to their silica composition. (The cell walls remain intact as fossils.)

Advanced Usage

• "frustule morphology": the study of the shape and structure of diatom shells, used in taxonomy and paleontology.

  • Scientists use frustule morphology to identify different diatom species. (The shape of the shell helps classify the organism.)

• "frustule ornamentation": the patterns, pores, and ridges on the diatom shell.

  • The frustule ornamentation is so fine that it diffracts light, creating iridescent colors. (The microscopic patterns cause light interference.)

Variants and Related Words

• Frustular (adj): relating to or resembling a frustule.

  • The frustular surface is covered in tiny pores for nutrient exchange. (Pertaining to the diatom shell.)

• Frustulation (n): the process of forming a frustule, or the arrangement of frustules.

  • Frustulation occurs during diatom cell division. (The formation of new shells.)

Synonyms

• Diatom shell: the external covering of a diatom.
• Siliceous test: a shell made of silica (common in other microorganisms).

Related Idioms (N/A)

• No common idioms exist for this technical term.

Phrasal Verbs (N/A)

• No phrasal verbs are associated with "frustule."