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 determine the wrong statement from the given options, let's analyze each statement one by one:

1. **Statement 1**: "Diatoms are chief producers in oceans."
- This statement is correct. Diatoms are indeed primary producers in marine ecosystems, contributing significantly to the ocean's primary productivity through photosynthesis.

2. **Statement 2**: "Diatoms are microscopic and float passively in waters."
- This statement is also correct. Diatoms are microscopic algae that drift in the water column, and they are classified as plankton due to their passive floating nature.

3. **Statement 3**: "Walls of diatoms are easily destructible."
- This statement is incorrect. The cell walls of diatoms are made of silica, which makes them indestructible and highly durable. Therefore, this statement is the wrong one.

4. **Statement 4**: "Diatomaceous earth is formed by cell walls of diatoms."
- This statement is correct. Diatomaceous earth is indeed formed from the accumulated silica cell walls of diatoms over millions of years.

Based on the analysis, the wrong statement is **Statement 3**: "Walls of diatoms are easily destructible."