The main characteristics of Bacillariophyceae are:
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The algae of this family are commonly known as Diatoms.
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The members are mostly unicellular or colonial algae.
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Both the marine as well as fresh water forms are there.
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The cell is golden brown in colour; the pigments are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c, Xanthophyll.
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The cells are attached each other by mucillage envelope.
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The reserve food material is present as oil and chrysolaminarin.
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The members of the family produce unique types of spores called auxopsores.
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Auxospore formation helps in restoring the average size of the species.
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This auxospores formation helps in the rejuvenation process.
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A rigid overlapping cell wall is present which is known as frustule.
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The shell or frustule is composed of two halves; larger epitheca and smaller hypotheca.
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Large depositions of fossil diatoms are known as diatomaceous earth.
