Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria (/saɪˌænoʊbækˈtɪəriə/), also known as blue-green algae, are a phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis. They are the only group of organisms that are able to produce oxygen through photosynthesis.
Etymology
The term "cyanobacteria" comes from the Greek words kyanos (κυανός), meaning "dark blue," and bakteria (βακτήρια), meaning "small stick." This is in reference to the color of the bacteria and their rod-like shape.
Characteristics
Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic, that is, they live in the water, and can manufacture their own food. They are often found in endolithic ecosystem. Cyanobacteria can be found in almost every terrestrial and aquatic habitat—oceans, fresh water, damp soil, temporarily moistened rocks in deserts, bare rock and soil, and even Antarctic rocks.
Related Terms
- Photosynthesis: The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the aid of chlorophyll pigments.
- Phylum: A level of classification or taxonomic rank below Kingdom and above Class.
- Endolithic ecosystem: An ecosystem that exists within rocks or within the pore spaces of mineral grains.
- Antarctic rocks: Rocks found in the Antarctic region, often studied for the presence of cyanobacteria.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cyanobacteria
- Wikipedia's article - Cyanobacteria
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