Diatoms are mostly asexual members of the phytoplankton. Diatoms lack any organelles that might have the 9 + 2 pattern. They obtain their nutrition from functional chloroplasts, and each diatom is encased within two porous, glasslike valves. Which question would be most important for one interested in the day-to-day survival of individual diatoms?
A) How does carbon dioxide get into these protists with their glasslike valves?
B) How do diatoms get transported from one location on the water's surface layers to another location on the surface?
C) How do diatoms with their glasslike valves keep from sinking into poorly lit waters?
D) How do diatoms with their glasslike valves avoid being shattered by the action of waves?
E) How do diatom sperm cells locate diatom egg cells?