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Architecture and material properties of diatom shells provide effective mechanical protection

Author

Listed:
  • Christian E. Hamm

    (Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research)

  • Rudolf Merkel

    (Technische Universität München, Physics Department (Biophysics Group E22)
    Institute of Thin Films and Interfaces)

  • Olaf Springer

    (Hochschule Bremen – University of Applied Science)

  • Piotr Jurkojc

    (Hochschule Bremen – University of Applied Science)

  • Christian Maier

    (Technische Universität München, Physics Department (Biophysics Group E22))

  • Kathrin Prechtel

    (Technische Universität München, Physics Department (Biophysics Group E22))

  • Victor Smetacek

    (Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research)

Abstract

Diatoms are the major contributors to phytoplankton blooms in lakes and in the sea and hence are central in aquatic ecosystems and the global carbon cycle1. All free-living diatoms differ from other phytoplankton groups in having silicified cell walls in the form of two ‘shells’ (the frustule) of manifold shape and intricate architecture2 whose function and role, if any, in contributing to the evolutionary success of diatoms is under debate3,4,5. We explored the defence potential of the frustules as armour against predators by measuring their strength. Real and virtual loading tests (using calibrated glass microneedles and finite element analysis) were performed on centric and pennate diatom cells. Here we show that the frustules are remarkably strong by virtue of their architecture and the material properties of the diatom silica. We conclude that diatom frustules have evolved as mechanical protection for the cells because exceptional force is required to break them. The evolutionary arms race between diatoms and their specialized predators will have had considerable influence in structuring pelagic food webs and biogeochemical cycles.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian E. Hamm & Rudolf Merkel & Olaf Springer & Piotr Jurkojc & Christian Maier & Kathrin Prechtel & Victor Smetacek, 2003. "Architecture and material properties of diatom shells provide effective mechanical protection," Nature, Nature, vol. 421(6925), pages 841-843, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:421:y:2003:i:6925:d:10.1038_nature01416
    DOI: 10.1038/nature01416
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    Cited by:

    1. Narjes Javaheri & Roland Dries & Jaap Kaandorp, 2014. "Understanding the Sub-Cellular Dynamics of Silicon Transportation and Synthesis in Diatoms Using Population-Level Data and Computational Optimization," PLOS Computational Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-16, June.

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