Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria (also known as Blue-Green Algae) are:
1. Gram-negative, photosynthetic bacteria
2. Found in aquatic environments (freshwater, marine, and terrestrial)
3. Capable of producing oxygen through photosynthesis
4. Responsible for Earth's oxygenation ~2.7 billion years ago
5. Diverse group, with ~2,400 species
6. Range from unicellular to filamentous and colonial forms
7. Some species fix nitrogen, produce toxins, or form symbiotic relationships
*Characteristics:*
1. Chlorophyll a and phycobiliproteins for photosynthesis
2. Thylakoid membranes for light harvesting
3. Gas vesicles for buoyancy
4. Exopolymeric substances (EPS) for protection and adhesion
*Ecological Importance:*
1. Pr...