Bacilleriophyta primarily reproduces asexually. However, it uses both sexual and asexual.
Cycle
1. The cycle begins with an individual diatom. That diatom then divides into two new diploid diatoms with silica shells.
2. As time goes on, the shells decrease in size.
3. They eventually become fertile when a certain size is reached.
4. It then reproduces sexually, releasing gametes and fusing together to create a new haploid diatom cell known as an auxospore.
5. The auxospore has no shell; it then expands.
6. Through this expansion, an initial cell is produced, which is larger than the fertile cell.
7. Now back at its original form, the cycle begins again.
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F4FH4PjulU
Cycle
1. The cycle begins with an individual diatom. That diatom then divides into two new diploid diatoms with silica shells.
2. As time goes on, the shells decrease in size.
3. They eventually become fertile when a certain size is reached.
4. It then reproduces sexually, releasing gametes and fusing together to create a new haploid diatom cell known as an auxospore.
5. The auxospore has no shell; it then expands.
6. Through this expansion, an initial cell is produced, which is larger than the fertile cell.
7. Now back at its original form, the cycle begins again.
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F4FH4PjulU