Diatoms have silica shells in two halves that fit together like an old pill-box.
The optical microscope is pushed to the limit to resolve the detail in some species. If you follow a link to an article, use the 'Go Back' feature twice on your web browser to return to the jar. Microscopy UK Front Page Micscape Magazine Article Library Microscopy UK or their contributors. Published in Micscape Magazine February 2001. Please report any Web problems or offer general comments to the Micscape Editor , via the contact on current Micscape Index.