Aulacodiscus formosus diatom. Light micrograph of a section through an Aulacodiscus formosus diatom. Diatoms are single-celled photosynthetic algae, of which there are about 100,000 species. They have mineralised cell walls (frustules) that contain silica and provide protection and support. The diatoms form an important part of the plankton at the base of the marine and freshwater food chains. This is a centric diatom, one that displays radial symmetry.