Porefield
An area of fine pores, or perforations through the diatom valve. Porefields function in the extrusion of mucopolysaccaride stalks, or pads, from the cell.
Image Credit: Sarah Spaulding
External view of the apical porefield of Didymosphenia geminata.
Image Credit: Marina Potapova
Internal view of the apical porefield of Cymbella affinis.
Image Credit: Sarah Spaulding
Live cell of Didymosphenia geminata with mucopolysaccaride stalk (at bottom of image) secreted from the apical porefield. The stalk is covered with cells of Achnanthidium minutissimum.