Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are a group of photosynthetic bacteria, some of which are nitrogen-fixing, that live in a wide variety of moist soils and water either freely or in a symbiotic relationship with plants or lichen-forming fungi (as in the lichen genus Peltigera). They have been found to play an important role in terrestrial nitrogen cycling.

Overview

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, blue-green bacteria or Cyanophyta, is a phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis. The name "cyanobacteria" comes from the color of the bacteria (Greek: κυανός, romanized: kyanós, lit. 'blue').

Characteristics

Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of photosynthetic prokaryotic microorganisms that are ubiquitous in freshwater, marine and terrestrial environments. Some cyanobacteria are capable of nitrogen fixation and live in a wide variety of moist soils and water either freely or in a symbiotic relationship with plants or lichen-forming fungi.

Ecology

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. They can occur as planktonic cells or form phototrophic biofilms in fresh water and marine environments, they occur in damp soil, or even on desert rocks.

Health effects

Exposure to cyanobacteria can result in a range of health effects, from mild skin rashes to serious illness or even death in humans and animals. The toxins produced by some species of cyanobacteria have been known to poison wildlife, livestock, and domestic animals.

See also

• Algae
• Bacteria
• Photosynthesis
• Nitrogen cycle

External links

• Cyanobacteria - FAQs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Cyanobacteria - Toxins and Health from the World Health Organization

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