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Biogenic silica
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<p>Biogenic silica (bSi), also referred to as <a href="/facts/Opal/LF7Xa7nK">opal</a>, biogenic opal, or <a href="/facts/Amorphous/YTIzmrR0">amorphous</a> opaline <a href="/facts/Silica/A3WILp6J">silica</a>, forms one of the most widespread biogenic <a href="/facts/Minerals/LkUFbNmv">minerals</a>. For example, microscopic particles of silica called <a href="/facts/Phytolith/ArjDG3EI">phytoliths</a> can be found in grasses and other plants. </p><p>Silica is an amorphous metalloid <a href="/facts/Oxide/DXtoVe1C">oxide</a> formed by complex <a href="/facts/Inorganic/TfFfzxSz">inorganic</a> <a href="/facts/Polymerization/1hmBz7Ur">polymerization</a> processes. This is opposed to the other major <a href="/facts/Biogenic/RKUIh7aM">biogenic</a> minerals, comprising <a href="/facts/Carbonate/FES1QHkN">carbonate</a> and <a href="/facts/Phosphate/FDGVCxUG">phosphate</a>, which occur in nature as crystalline iono-covalent solids (e.g. <a href="/facts/Salts/Fp0KhqyY">salts</a>) whose <a href="/facts/Precipitation_(chemistry)/s3BgsLLY">precipitation</a> is dictated by <a href="/facts/Solubility_equilibrium/MNBoGyJb">solubility equilibria</a>. Chemically, bSi is <a href="/facts/Hydrated_silica/VWeVg006">hydrated silica</a> (SiO2·<i>n</i>H2O), which is essential to many plants and animals. </p><p>Diatoms in both fresh and salt water extract <a href="/facts/Dissolved_silica/A3WILp6J">dissolved silica</a> from the water to use as a component of their cell walls. Likewise, some <a href="/facts/Holoplankton/dJaNsetP">holoplanktonic</a> <a href="/facts/Protozoa/JczTf25H">protozoa</a> (<a href="/facts/Radiolaria/j3SYzHCS">Radiolaria</a>), some <a href="/facts/Sponge/E9T2WFWA">sponges</a>, and some plants (leaf <a href="/facts/Phytolith/ArjDG3EI">phytoliths</a>) use silicon as a structural material. Silicon is known to be required by chicks and rats for growth and skeletal development. Silicon is in human <a href="/facts/Connective_tissue/mal3fc7k">connective tissues</a>, <a href="/facts/Bone/pCU37jBe">bones</a>, <a href="/facts/Teeth/Wc6IqwVf">teeth</a>, <a href="/facts/Human_skin/cfRXQwSs">skin</a>, <a href="/facts/Human_eye/a24ua4fy">eyes</a>, <a href="/facts/Gland/gfq2of7k">glands</a>, and <a href="/facts/Organ_(anatomy)/FUYsLaxz">organs</a>. </p>