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Cyanobacteria often live in colonial aggregates that can take a multitude of forms. [3] Of particular interest among the many species of cyanobacteria are those that live colonially in elongate hair-like structures, known as trichomes. These filamentous species can contain hundreds to thousands of cells. [3]
As free living organisms, cyanobacteria typically divide more frequently compared to eukaryotic cells, but as symbionts, cyanobionts slow down division times so they do not overwhelm their host. [8] It is unknown how cyanobionts are able to adjust their growth rates, but it is not a result of nutrient limitation by the host.
Nostoc, also known as star jelly, troll's butter, spit of moon, fallen star, witch's butter (not to be confused with the fungi commonly known as witches' butter), and witch's jelly, is the most common genus of cyanobacteria found in a variety of both aquatic and terrestrial environments that may form colonies composed of filaments of moniliform cells in a gelatinous sheath of polysaccharides. [1]
Free-living cyanobacteria are present in the water of rice paddies, and cyanobacteria can be found growing as epiphytes on the surfaces of the green alga, Chara, where they may fix nitrogen. [61] Cyanobacteria such as Anabaena (a symbiont of the aquatic fern Azolla) can provide rice plantations with biofertilizer. [62]
Additionally, the morphology of cyanobacteria can differ significantly between their free-living and lichenised states, complicating traditional identification methods based on visual characteristics. [3] Modern research increasingly relies on molecular techniques, including DNA sequencing and genomic analysis.
Aphanizomenon are a special type of cyanobacteria called heterocysts, which are capable of producing biologically useful nitrogen by the process of nitrogen fixation from atmospheric nitrogen. A large proportion (between 35 and 50%) of fixed nitrogen may be released into the surrounding water, providing an important source of biologically ...
Anabaena is a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that exist as plankton. They are known for nitrogen-fixing abilities, and they form symbiotic relationships with certain plants, such as the mosquito fern. They are one of four genera of cyanobacteria that produce neurotoxins, which are
A notable symbiotic relationship is that of Anabaena azollae [a] cyanobacteria with Azolla plants. Anabaena reside on the stems and within leaves of Azolla plants. [8] The Azolla plant undergoes photosynthesis and provides fixed carbon for the Anabaena to use as an energy source for dinitrogenases in the heterocyst cells. [8]