Article
Article
Cyanobacteria
Article By:
Konopka, Allan E. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington.
Last reviewed:March 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.174950
A large and heterogeneous group of photosynthetic microorganisms, formerly referred to as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria (see illustration) are microscopic bacteria capable of photosynthesis. Originally and inaccurately termed blue-green algae, cyanobacteria had been classified with the algae because their mechanism of photosynthesis is similar to that of algal and plant chloroplasts (cell plastids). However, the cells of cyanobacteria are prokaryotic, whereas the cells of algae and plants are eukaryotic. Thus, the name cyanobacteria emphasizes the similarity in cell structure to other prokaryotic bacteria. See also: Algae; Bacteria; Cell plastids; Cyanophyceae; Prokaryote
The content above is only an excerpt.
About AccessScience
AccessScience provides the most accurate and trustworthy scientific information available.
Recognized as an award-winning gateway to scientific knowledge, AccessScience is an amazing online resource that contains high-quality reference material written specifically for students. Contributors include more than 10,000 highly qualified scientists and 46 Nobel Prize winners.
MORE THAN 8700 articles covering all major scientific disciplines and encompassing the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology and McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science & Technology
115,000-PLUS definitions from the McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms
3000 biographies of notable scientific figures
MORE THAN 19,000 downloadable images and animations illustrating key topics
ENGAGING VIDEOS highlighting the life and work of award-winning scientists
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY and additional readings to guide students to deeper understanding and research
LINKS TO CITABLE LITERATURE help students expand their knowledge using primary sources of information
