How are plantae protists and stramenopila (diatom) different and similar?

[yahman]

How are plantae protists and stramenopila (diatom) different and similar?

The Attempt at a Solution

Diatoms: are a major group of eukaryotic algae (single celled algae), and are one of the most common types of phytoplankton. Most diatoms are unicellular and some are colonial algae, live in water, both heterotroph and autotroph, yellow brown chloroplast, they are sessile (don't have flagella however move by water stream as they float), reproduce by cell division. they are not considered to be plants because they are unicellular.

similarity: both are producers (bottom of food chain), photosynthetic

difference: plants are multicellular, diatoms are unicellular, plants reproduce by meiosis where as diatoms by cell division, most plants live on land where as diatoms strictly live in wet environment. plants are more complex and larger whereas diatoms are smaller (microscopic), there are out layer differences: plants have cell wall made of cellulose where as diatoms have cell wall made of silica, plants don't form colonies where as diatoms can form colonies, also there is chlorophyll (pigment) differences: plants usually have green chlorophyll whereas diatoms have yellow and brown pigments, some diatoms are capable of movement where as plants can move, and some diatoms are heterotrophic where as plants are strictly autotrophic. diatoms have different life cycles (alteration of generation), diatoms reproduce asexually by mitosis. diatoms fossilize when they die as rocks at the bottom of water, plants normally get eaten by decomposers. diatoms are more closely related to bacteria where as plants are more closely related to Eukaryote

* this is the best I could do as an attempt to answer the question, any feed back and correction is appreciated ! *

 

[nate808]

Your answer is very thorough and covers all the major differences and similarities between plantae protists and stramenopila (diatoms). It is clear that you have a good understanding of the topic and have done some research to support your answer. One suggestion for improvement would be to include more specific examples of how diatoms and plants differ in terms of their structures and functions. For example, you could mention that diatoms have a unique cell wall structure with intricate patterns, while plants have a more uniform cell wall structure. Additionally, you could mention specific adaptations that diatoms have for living in water, such as their ability to regulate their buoyancy and move through water currents. Overall, your answer is well-written and provides a good overview of the similarities and differences between these organisms.

 

[Blueshift5]

I would like to add to your response by highlighting some key points about the differences and similarities between plantae protists and stramenopila (diatoms).

Firstly, both plantae protists and diatoms belong to the kingdom Protista. They are both eukaryotic, meaning they have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. However, plants are considered to be more advanced eukaryotes compared to diatoms, as they have evolved more complex structures and functions.

One of the main differences between the two is the presence of a cell wall. Plants have a cell wall made of cellulose, while diatoms have a cell wall made of silica. This difference in cell wall composition is also reflected in their appearance, as plants tend to be larger and more complex in structure, while diatoms are microscopic and have a simpler structure.

Another key difference is their mode of reproduction. Plants reproduce sexually through the fusion of male and female gametes, while diatoms reproduce asexually through cell division. Some diatoms can also reproduce sexually, but this is not their primary mode of reproduction.

In terms of their ecological roles, both plantae protists and diatoms are important producers in the food chain. They both use photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, making them crucial for sustaining life on Earth. However, diatoms are primarily aquatic organisms, while plants can be found in a variety of environments, including on land.

In conclusion, while plantae protists and stramenopila (diatoms) share some similarities, such as being photosynthetic and belonging to the same kingdom, they also have several key differences in terms of their structure, function, and ecology. These differences highlight the diversity and complexity of life on our planet.