Diatoms stay afloat due to

Options

A. Pseudopodia
B. Flagella
C. Stored lipids
D. All the above

Answer

To solve the question "Diatoms stay afloat due to," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify what diatoms are**:
- Diatoms are a type of algae, specifically unicellular algae that are characterized by their unique silica cell walls.

2. **Understand their buoyancy**:
- Diatoms have a mechanism that allows them to stay suspended in water. This is essential for their survival as they rely on sunlight for photosynthesis.

3. **Role of lipids**:
- Diatoms store lipids within their cells. Lipids are less dense than water, which increases their buoyancy.

4. **Non-motility of diatoms**:
- Due to their structure and the fact that they are non-motile, diatoms do not have flagella or pseudopodia to help them move. Instead, their buoyancy allows them to float.

5. **Evaluate the options**:
- Given the options, we can conclude that the correct answer is related to the storage of lipids, which helps them stay afloat.

6. **Final Answer**:
- Diatoms stay afloat due to the storage of lipids that increase their buoyancy.