Select the wrong statement

Options

A. Diatoms are chief producers in the oceans
B. Diatoms are microscopic and float passively in water
C. The walls of diatoms are easily destructible
D. 'Diatomaceous earth' is formed by the cell walls of diatoms

Answer

To solve the question of identifying the wrong statement among the given options, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Analyze Statement 1**:
- Statement: "Diatoms are chief producers in the ocean."
- Explanation: Diatoms are indeed a major group of microalgae and are primary producers in aquatic environments, particularly in oceans.
- Conclusion: This statement is **correct**.

2. **Analyze Statement 2**:
- Statement: "Diatoms are microscopic and float passively in water currents."
- Explanation: Diatoms are unicellular and microscopic organisms that are part of the plankton community, which means they do float in water currents.
- Conclusion: This statement is **correct**.

3. **Analyze Statement 3**:
- Statement: "The walls of diatoms are easily destructible."
- Explanation: Diatom cell walls are composed of silica, which makes them very hard and resistant to degradation. Thus, they are not easily destructible.
- Conclusion: This statement is **incorrect**.

4. **Analyze Statement 4**:
- Statement: "Diatomaceous earth is formed by the cell walls of diatoms."
- Explanation: Diatomaceous earth is indeed formed from the accumulated remains of diatom cell walls, which are rich in silica.
- Conclusion: This statement is **correct**.

5. **Identify the Wrong Statement**:
- After analyzing all statements, we find that Statement 3 is the only incorrect statement.
- Therefore, the answer to the question is **Statement 3**.

### Final Answer:
The wrong statement is: **"The walls of diatoms are easily destructible."**

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