Heterotrophic nutrition
Some diatoms have the ability to grow on organic substances
without the presence of light. This is mostly done by pennate species,
named after their elongate shapes. Pennate diatoms are benthic diatoms,
which are periodically subjected to complete darkness. These species are
frequently found in inshore, shallow water benthic environments.These benthic
diatoms take up the substrate and assimilate it to produce the components
necessary for growth
