Silica Biomineralization: Diatoms, Radiolarians, Sponges

This lecture explores the process of silica biomineralization in diatoms, radiolarians, and sponges. It delves into the origin of silicon in the universe, the differentiation of the mantle, and the distribution of oceanic sediments. The lecture discusses the impact of biosiliceous organisms through time, the ocean fertility, and the biochemical cycle of silica in the ocean. It also covers the pH-dependence of silicon biomineralization in diatoms and the proposed model of mesophase silica polymerization in diatoms.