Cyanobacteria

Link to Dr. Smith's Web Page on Cyanophyta

Link to "Seaweeds of Hawaii" by William H. agr!der and
"effrey W. H!nt
Color # $l!e %reen & '!st & $lack
(scillatoria a! nat!ral
)nknown Cyanobacteri!m
from a warm spring near t.
Lassen *C+,
Pigmentation
Chlorophyll *a,
Carotenoids
Phycobillins
Di-ersity # Species .// & 01//
(cc!rrence
2resh Water &3 %reatest
+b!ndance 4 Di-ersity
Salt Water Lyngbya ma5!sc!la is the most common
arine Species in
Hawaii.
Planktonic *few
species, 6mportant
so!rce for fi7ed
8itrogen
6ntertidal 'eef Platform
2ringing 'eef Platform
'!bble 6ntertidal 9one in "(oid Sand %rains"
:errestrial
S!rface Cr!sts which appear lifeless; are re-i-ed following
significant rains. :hese dry to a
brittle cr!st as the s!bstrate
looses water. :hese can be
ecologically significant beca!se
they add biomass and 8itrogen
to barren areas. :his is a long&
term process; howe-er. :hese cr!sts can be seen in places
like +rches 8ational Park *)tah, where it is -ery dry 4
there is little gro!nd co-er or litter.
:his can also be seen locally on
abandoned; dry lots. Hea-y
rains allow desiccated
Cyanobacteria to flo!rish. :hey
form !nd!lating to ro!nd
hydrated masses. :hese
grad!ally shrink and crack as the s!bstrate dries. :hey
sometimes appear spherical.
Some Cyanobacteria *C$s, are also fo!nd in "green
snow" which appears in the springtime on semi&
permanent snowfields and glaciers.
<ndolithic *6nside 'ocks,
Cyanobacteria ha-e recently fo!nd in the most
barren area of +ntarctica where no other life has
been fo!nd. Similar obser-ations ha-e been made in
the high +rctic. :hey li-e 5!st below the s!rface of
rocks. :his so!nds !nbelie-able b!t it is tr!e.
Cyanobacteria can also inhabit carbonatic s!bstrates
like Limestone. *http=>>bio.b!.ed!>?gol!bic>marine&cyano.html,.
Some species inhabit the Calci!m Carbonate secreted
by Coralline +lgae.
Hyella stella= a Cyanobacteri!m
Scytonema endolithic!m
that li-es in arine Limestone
(rganisms like this can li-e in Coral '!bble which rolls abo!t as
"sand". Conse@!ently; they inhabit a reef Aone that wo!ld
otherwise be !na-ailable to them; d!e to the absence of a
stable s!bstrate and the presence of -igoro!s wa-e action
which wo!ld be !nfa-orable for Planktonic algae. :hese areas
are often t!rbid d!e to wa-e 4 wind action and from soil
r!noff.
"(oid" sand grain
containing <ndolithic
Cyanobacteri!m *C$,.
:he presence of these organisms in limestone 4 coral reefs can
lead to erosion. :his is ca!sed by graAing animals who eat the
Cyanobacteria and conse@!ently decrease the amo!nt of
limestone present. :he effect of this is ill!strated below.
<rosion ca!sed by <ndolithic Cyanobacteria
:his can sometimes prod!ce fantastic "$iocarst" shapes.
Cyanobacteria that li-e in hot springs can deposit
limestone therein. :his acco!nts for the -ario!s
cascading "sc!lpt!res" that can be seen in some of
these areas *Bellowstone Park,. Some arine species
precipitate Calci!m Carbonate *Limestone,.
Conse@!ently; they become a part of the reef
b!ilding biota.
Hot Spring at Bellowstone
Park= :he dark color is d!e
to the presence of
Cyanobacteria.
Limestone deposit at
Bellowstone Park. :he
localiAed areas of green are
d!e to the presence of
Cyanobacteria
Stromatolites *Stromatoliths, are large col!mnar
Calci!m Carbonate str!ct!res prod!ced by Cyanobacteria.
:hey acc!m!late slowly o-er immense time&spans. :hese
were ab!ndant in prime-al times and constit!te some of
the oldest fossils. :hey can still be fo!nd today;
partic!larly in +!stralian :idal 2lats. :hey are
m!ltilayered deposits that form in shallow pools where the
climate is warm. :he oldest Stromatolites are from the
Precambrian and are ..0 $illion Bears&oldC
C$s are tho!ght to be the oldest (7ygen prod!cing
organisms. :hey profo!ndly changed the earth's
atmosphere and allowed for the e-ol!tion of
organisms that can !se o7ygen for respiration.
2ossil Cyanobacteria
6ll!stration showing 2ossil
Stromatolites
Limestone deposit from
ancient Cyanobacteria
(Glacier Park, Montana)
Li-ing Stromatolites on the
$each
Stromatolites !nder water.
Life odes
ost species are +!totrophic
Some are <piphytic or <piAooic *Polar $ear,
Some are Symbiotic
Cyanobacteria are in-ol-ed in se-eral
symbiotic associations. C$s can fi7
atmospheric 8 which becomes a-ailable
for its symbiotic partner.
Lichens= Cyanobacteria are fre@!ently the
Photosynthetic partners of 2!ngi that compose
Lichens. Lichens are important pioneer organisms
which inhabit e7tremely diffic!lt sites that may be
dry; hot; cold;windy or all of the abo-e.
Hornworts= *+nthocerophyta, ha-e
<ndophytic *inside&plant, Cyanobacteria
which reside in m!cilage filled
chambers within the thall!s.
Hornworts are coloniAers and inhabit
wet; !nstable sites. :he ability to get
8 from the C$s is e7tremely ad-antageo!s beca!se 8 is
!s!ally a limiting element in terrestrial en-ironments. +s
they decay Hornworts release their 8 which becomes
a-ailable for more comple7 plants. Species in the
+nthocerophyta can be seen near eroded and trampled
areas in the local mo!ntains.
+Aolla= :he a@!atic fern +Aolla *Pterophyta, forms
a symbiosis with 8ostoc species. :hese inhabit a
c!p&shaped area formed by the -entral lea-es of
the fern. :he C$s fi7 nitrogen and release
nitrogen&rich metabolites into the leaf ca-ity.
:hese are absorbed by the +Aolla which releases
carbohydrates that are absorbed by the C$s. 6t is
almost impossible to separate the symbiotic
partners once they become established. :his
relationship has been !sed for cent!ries in rice
c!lti-ation beca!se it pro-ides a cheap; renewable
and poll!tion&free so!rce of fertiliAer.
Cycads= *Cycadophyta, form an interesting
symbiosis with 8ostoc. :he C$s li-e in a circ!lar
Aone that de-elops in !pward growing root nod!les.
:he nod!les de-elop a special tiss!e layer that
!ndergoes mitosis and a!tolysis in the presence of
the C$s. Cycads occ!py poor habitats and are almost
e7tinct. :heir symbiotic relationship with C$s is one
reason why they still can be fo!nd in nat!re.
Cycas
)pward %rowing 'oot
8od!les
Cross Section thro!gh a root
nod!le showing the dark Aone
that contains Cyanobacteria.
Long Section thro!gh a
'oot 8od!le= :he dark
areas contain
Cyanobacteria.
Commercial Cross Section
showing the "+lgal 9one"
which contains C$s
:hin section showing the
Cyanobacteria in the
"+lgal 9one".
%!nnera= *+nthophyta, is a gen!s of flowering
plants. :hese prod!ce papillose o!tgrowths near the
base of their enormo!s lea-es. C$s are able to
coloniAe these areas and e-en penetrate the cells in
this str!ct!re. +t least one %!nnera species grows in
Hawaii. (ne of Dr. Lamo!re!7's former st!dents
worked on these plants.
%!nnera growing in Hawaii
%rowth 2orms
Single Cells &3 Colonies &3 2ilaments &3 $ranched
2ilaments
Synechococc!s
Crococc!s
Cells of +nacystis
+nacystis Colony
8ostoc $all *Colony,
icroscopic Diew of a 8ostoc
Colony
8ostoc 2ilaments seen with
Phase icroscopy
6ndi-id!al 8octoc 2ilaments
from a large Colony
(Phase Microscopy)
2ilaments
+nabaena
(scillatoria
(scillatoria <mbossed
Planktothri7 sp.
Lyngbya sp.
Spirlina sp. ha-e a Spiral filament orphology b!t the indi-id!al
cells resemble those of (scillatoria.
2ilaments may be $ranched; )nbranched or Cl!stered
Calothri7
:olypthri7
%leotrichia Colony
%leotrichia 6ndi-id!als
Cell Di-ision
Plasma embrane 4 6nner .
Wall Layers
6n-aginate 4 form a
Sept!m which grows
%rows 6nward and
Separates the cells.
6ntercell!lar Comm!nication
icroplasmodesmata connect ad5acent cells in the
filament.
Cell Shape
)niform &3 :apering &3 8arrow +pical
%rowth # %eneral *8o +pical eristems,
Cell :ypes
Cyanobacteria are Prokaryotes.
:hey ha-e 8o 8!clear <n-elope 4
8o embrane&$o!nd (rganelles
Degetati-e Cell &3 Photosynthesis
Heterocysts ha-e a 'o!nd Shape 4 :hick Cell Walls.
:hey often appear to be de-oid of contents at the
light microscope le-el.
:hey ha-e Photosynthetic :hylakoids which contain
Chlorophyll a and the other photosynthetic pigments.
:hese are 6n-aginations of the Plasmalemma.
Cyanophycin %ran!les *CP%, contain +mino +cids
carbohydrates.
Heterocysts seen with different types of Light icroscopy
Heterocyst seen with an <lectron icroscope
Heterocysts
Heterocysts are the sites for the fi7ation of
atmospheric 8itrogen.
:hey are Degetati-e cells that are con-erted into
Heterocysts.
+n (7ygen&free +naerobic <n-ironment is
'e@!ired beca!se (7ygen inhibits
8itrogenase
:he :hick Cell Walls are relati-ely
imper-io!s to (7ygen and this helps to
create an anaerobic en-ironment inside the
Heterocyst.
:he internal embranes are thylakoids
that ha-e lost Chlorophyll. :hey pro-ide
the sites for 8itrogenase.
(ther cell contents are generally lost.
:his helps to e7plain the lack of detail
seen with the light icroscope.
S< of 'i-!laria sp.
showing the Pore
*arrow, that connects
the Heterocyst *H, to a
Degetati-e cell *D,
Heterocysts are connected to the
Degetati-e Cells thro!gh a special pore in
their end walls. :hese are m!ch larger
than the icroplasmodesmata.
Larger 6mage of an Akinete
+kinetes
+kinetes are +se7!al Propag!les.
:hese are also deri-ed from Degetati-e Cells.
:hese tend to be <lliptical in shape.
:hey ha-e -ery thick walls.
S!r-i-e !nfa-orable Conditions
any thylakoids can be seen with an <lectron
icroscope.
:he :hylakoids are 8(: 8ot (rganiAed
for Photosynthesis.
:hey contain Storage Prod!cts
Cyanophycin %ran!les *+mino +cids,
Lipids
Cell Str!ct!re )ltrastr!ct!re&Prokaryote
SiAe # Small -s <!karyotic
Smallest # E!
Comple7 Cell Sheath 4 Wall
Sheath
+nabaena with a nearly transl!cent
Sheath= 6dentify the 'o!nd Smooth&
looking Cell.
Some # :hin Watery
(thers &3 :hick 4 2ibro!s
Composition # +cidic Polysaccharides similar to
Pectins
6nner Layer is called the %lycocaly7 d!e to the
presence of %lycoproteins. :hese are proteins that
contain S!gars as S!gar +mides.
+ %lycocaly7 is not present in all casesC
Pro-ides a $!ffering icroen-ironment.
Pili
(bser-ed in Some Species *Synechococ!s & 8ostoc,
<7tend from Wall thro!gh Sheath
:!b!lar & Protein Composition
F/ nm 7 E/// nm
2!nction )nknown & SecretionG
S!rface Spines *Spinae,
Seen in some arine 2orms
*i.e. Synechococ!s, &3
Conical 4 Pro5ect from S!rface
Helical Constr!ction
2!nction G DefenseG G $!oyancyG
Cell Wall
%ram 8egati-e $acteria
2o!r Layers & *E// + each,
Layer H # (!ter embrane & <nAymes
Some are Digesti-e
<nAymes.
Layer I # <lectron :ransparent
Layer . # !copolymer *%lycoproteins,
:hicker in Certain Species like (scillatoria sp.
+kinetes &3 :his layer is :hicker
Pro-ides Protection from the <n-ironment
this aids in
+se7!al 'eprod!ction
Layer E # <lectron :ransparent
6mmediately (!tside Plasmalemma
Pores
Present in :rans-erse 4 Lateral Walls
+ssociated with %liding o-ements
2!nction #SecretoryG
+bsence of 8!clear <n-elope
$acterial "Chromosome"
Center of Cell
Photosynthetic +pparat!s
:hylakoids
6n-agination of Plasmalemma
8!mber & 'esponds to Light 6ntensity
Low light &3 any
High Light &3 2ew
(scillatoria :hylakoids # ./J
Dry Weight
Principally 2o!nd &
Peripheral +rea of
Cell
Dario!s +ppearances
Series of Layers
)nd!lated
Sac&Like
:!be&Like
2reeAe <tch &3 'e-eals S!rface
Particles *2l!id osaic odel,
Photosynthetic Pigments
Principal Light Har-esting
Pigment Chlorophyll a
+ccessory Pigments
Carotenoids $&Carotene 4 9ea7anthin
:hylakoids ha-e a Precise Spacing
:his is partly d!e to the Phycobilisomes which are
attached to the S!rface of the :hylakoids
Phycobilisomes contain +ccessory Pigments for
Photosynthesis
:hese are Water Sol!ble and are stabiliAed by bonds
to Proteins.
:hese incl!de the following Pigments.
C&Phycocyanins +bsorb %reen&Bellow Light *FE1&
F./+,.
+llophycocyanins +bsorb (range&'ed *F1/&F0/+,
C&Phycoerythrin +bsorbs %reen Light *HK1&10/)
:he Disible Spectr!m
Light 'eaching :he S!rface of the <arth
Peak appro7. 1// nm
Drops (ff at Higher 4 Lower Wa-elengths
Chlorophyll 4 Carotenoids
$road +bsorbency in the $l!e
Drops (ff in %reen
%ood +bsorbency in 'ed Light
Poor +bsorbency at 11/&F1/ nm
Phycobillin Pigments
Phycoerythrin %ood +bsorbency 1// & F// nm
Phycocyanin %ood +bsorbency 11/ & F1/ nm
+llophycocyanin %ood +bsorbency F// & F01
6f we combine al of these; incl!ding Chlorophyll there
is good light absorption across the Disible Spectr!mC
%ood Co-erage e7cept at 1//nm
+bsorption of Light by Water
'ed 4 $l!e &3 Preferentially +bsorbed
Wa-elengths 1// & F//nm +bsorbed Least
:his region of the Spectr!m corresponds with
+bsorption Spectra of Phycobillins.
%as Dac!oles
$acteria *Common,
Cyanobacteria
Common in 8at!re b!t Lost in
C!lt!re.
Composition
embrane $o!nd
Proteinaceo!s Walls
*E/J Cells' Protein,
Long Cylinders
Conical <nds
'eg!lates Density of Cells
Controls Position in Water
Col!mn
Desicles 2ill with %as L&&3 Collapse
'eg!lated by Photosynthesis
<cological Significance
+lgal $looms *%as Dac!oles 8(: 'eg!lated,
C$ 2loat to S!rface
assi-e 'eprod!ction
:o7ins &3 Mill other (rganisms
+erial Diew of a Large Cyanobacterial $loom
icrocystis $loom
Cyanophyte $loom
8itrogen 2i7ation
8ostocaceae &3 Heterocysts
arine Species with Heterocysts
Calothri7 4 Scytonema
Heterocysts
:hese ha-e enlarged :hick Walls &3
:he o!ter en-elope is $ilayered.
(!ter Layer contains mostly
Polysaccharide.
6nner Layer is composed of
%lycolipids.
6nternal embranes ha-e
a
concentric to 'etic!late Pattern
Lack Photosystem 66
*(7ygen 'eleasing Step,
8itrogenase is Sensiti-e to (7ygen which inhibits 8&
fi7ation.
8 2i7ation # +naerobic
8 Le-els reg!late Heterocyst Prod!ctionNLow 8 le-els
stim!late heterocyst formation.
8onHeterocystic 8&2i7ation
(scillatoria *Planktonic,
2i7 8 & Low (7ygen *Paerl 4 $ebo!t EKOO,
+ssociated with o-ement *E/ microns>Second,
%liding 4 'otating
Secretion &3 Pores
Contractile Wa-es !cilage
'eprod!ction
2ragmentation
Hormogonia %liding 2ragment
+kinetes &3
Some Species
<nlarged
:hick Walls
'esist Heat & Dro!ght &
Cold




<cological 'oles
:errestrial <n-ironments
Pioneering (rganisms contrib!te fi7ed nitrogen 4
some biomass.
:hey may be 2ree Li-ing
8ostoc $alls can grow on bare soil
incl!ding Dolcanic Sites.
:hey can be <piphytic and e-en <piAooic.
:heir Symbiotic relationships with Lichens
is ecologically important.
(ther symbiotic relationships are
significant of the plants which ha-e them.
+Aolla can carpet the s!rface
of small lakes and ponds. :his
can be a ma5or; local ecological
effect.
:he symbiosis with Hornworts
*+nthocerophyta, may ha-e
ecological significance in Hawaii
beca!se Hornworts coloniAe
dist!rbed sites like pig r!ns and
r!noff streams.
2resh Water
Cyanobacteria can grow in thermal Hot Springs where
algal photosynthetic organisms can't s!r-i-e. :hey
deposit limestone in the process. Howe-er; this is an
e7tremely slow process.
:hey can grow in low light en-ironments d!e to their
Phycobillin pigments.
:hey 'elease Carbon 4 8itrogen
etabolites which can stim!late the
growth of other organisms.
:hey can grow at low (7ygen le-els
and may enrich the local (7ygen
concentration beca!se the prod!ce
(..
'esist %raAing by Protists this can lead to enhanced
Cyanobacterial pop!lations that can lead to "blooms".
:heir relati-ely high tolerance to heat can lead to
"blooms" ca!sed by thermal poll!tion.
:ropical 'eefs
:hey are ab!ndant in the 2ringing 'eef Platform
:hey are also Part of (pport!nistic 2ilamento!s
+lgae which cling to larger organisms.
:his can be a Highly Prod!cti-e>+rea
8&2i7ation *Calothri7,
:heir ability to 2i7 +tmospheric 8itrogen contrib!tes
Significantly to prod!cti-ity of $enthic Comm!nities.
:hey also can ha-e associations with acroalgae 4
Corals.
:heir 8&2i7ation 'ates Parallel those of :errestrial
Systems like the +lfalfa&'hiAobi!m symbiosis.
Some Hawaiian arine Cyanobacteria
Link to Hawaiian Cyanobacteria from
"Seaweeds of Hawaii" by William H. agr!der and "effrey W. H!nt
Hormothamion enteromorphoides
%reen Color & Delicate 2ilaments & :angled with (ther
Species & 2ilaments . & O cm & :idepools 4 'eef 2lats
Lyngbya ma5!sc!la
$lack & Dark %ray & 'ed & %reen & Bellow & 2ilaments 1 &
E/ cm & :angled with other species

Symploca hydnoides
)pright :riang!lar Shoots & Common Holdfast & Color #
$lack & %ray & 'eef 2lats
Cyanobacteria
Link to Dr. Smith's Web Page on Cyanophyta
Link to "Seaweeds of Hawaii" by William H. agr!der and
"effrey W. H!nt
Color # $l!e %reen & '!st & $lack
Lyngbya ma5!sc!la
(scillatoria a! nat!ral
)nknown
Cyanobacteri!m from a
warm spring near t.
Lassen *C+,
Pigmentation
Chlorophyll *a,
Carotenoids
Phycobillins
Di-ersity # Species .// & 01//
(cc!rrence
2resh Water &3 %reatest
+b!ndance 4 Di-ersity
Salt Water Lyngbya ma5!sc!la is the most common
arine Species in
Hawaii.
Planktonic *few species, 6mportant so!rce for fi7ed
8itrogen
6ntertidal 'eef Platform
2ringing 'eef Platform
'!bble 6ntertidal 9one in "(oid Sand %rains"
:errestrial
S!rface Cr!sts which appear lifeless; are re-i-ed following
significant rains. :hese dry to a
brittle cr!st as the s!bstrate
looses water. :hese can be
ecologically significant beca!se
they add biomass and 8itrogen
to barren areas. :his is a long&
term process; howe-er. :hese cr!sts can be seen in places
like +rches 8ational Park *)tah, where it is -ery dry 4
there is little gro!nd co-er or litter.
:his can also be seen locally on
abandoned; dry lots. Hea-y
rains allow desiccated
Cyanobacteria to flo!rish. :hey
form !nd!lating to ro!nd
hydrated masses. :hese
grad!ally shrink and crack as
the s!bstrate dries. :hey sometimes appear spherical.
Some Cyanobacteria *C$s, are also fo!nd in "green
snow" which appears in the springtime on semi&
permanent snowfields and glaciers.
<ndolithic *6nside 'ocks,
Cyanobacteria ha-e recently fo!nd in the most
barren area of +ntarctica where no other life has
been fo!nd. Similar obser-ations ha-e been made in
the high +rctic. :hey li-e 5!st below the s!rface of
rocks. :his so!nds !nbelie-able b!t it is tr!e.
Cyanobacteria can also inhabit carbonatic s!bstrates
like Limestone. *http=>>bio.b!.ed!>?gol!bic>marine&cyano.html,.
Some species inhabit the Calci!m Carbonate secreted
by Coralline +lgae.
Hyella stella= a Cyanobacteri!m that li-es in
arine Limestone
Scytonema endolithic!m
(rganisms like this can li-e in Coral '!bble which rolls abo!t as "sand".
Conse@!ently; they inhabit a reef Aone that wo!ld otherwise be !na-ailable to
them; d!e to the absence of a stable s!bstrate and the presence of -igoro!s
wa-e action which wo!ld be !nfa-orable for Planktonic algae. :hese areas are
often t!rbid d!e to wa-e 4 wind action and from soil r!noff.
"(oid" sand grain containing
<ndolithic Cyanobacteri!m *C$,.
:he presence of these organisms in limestone 4 coral reefs can lead to erosion.
:his is ca!sed by graAing animals who eat the Cyanobacteria and conse@!ently
decrease the amo!nt of limestone present. :he effect of this is ill!strated
below.
<rosion ca!sed by <ndolithic Cyanobacteria
:his can sometimes prod!ce fantastic "$iocarst" shapes.
Cyanobacteria that li-e in hot springs can deposit
limestone therein. :his acco!nts for the -ario!s
cascading "sc!lpt!res" that can be seen in some of
these areas *Bellowstone Park,. Some arine species
precipitate Calci!m Carbonate *Limestone,.
Conse@!ently; they become a part of the reef
b!ilding biota.
Hot Spring at Bellowstone
Park= :he dark color is d!e
to the presence of
Cyanobacteria.
Limestone deposit at
Bellowstone Park. :he
localiAed areas of green
are d!e to the presence
of Cyanobacteria
Stromatolites *Stromatoliths, are large col!mnar
Calci!m Carbonate str!ct!res prod!ced by
Cyanobacteria. :hey acc!m!late slowly o-er immense
time&spans. :hese were ab!ndant in prime-al times
and constit!te some of the oldest fossils. :hey can
still be fo!nd today; partic!larly in +!stralian :idal
2lats. :hey are m!ltilayered deposits that form in shallow
pools where the climate is warm. :he oldest Stromatolites
are from the Precambrian and are ..0 $illion Bears&oldC
C$s are tho!ght to be the oldest (7ygen prod!cing
organisms. :hey profo!ndly changed the earth's
atmosphere and allowed for the e-ol!tion of
organisms that can !se o7ygen for respiration.
2ossil Cyanobacteria
6ll!stration showing 2ossil
Stromatolites
Limestone deposit from ancient
Cyanobacteria
(Glacier Park, Montana)
Li-ing Stromatolites on the $each
Stromatolites !nder water.
Life odes
ost species are +!totrophic
Some are <piphytic or <piAooic *Polar $ear,
Some are Symbiotic
Cyanobacteria are in-ol-ed in se-eral
symbiotic associations. C$s can fi7
atmospheric 8 which becomes a-ailable
for its symbiotic partner.
Lichens= Cyanobacteria are fre@!ently the
Photosynthetic partners of 2!ngi that compose
Lichens. Lichens are important pioneer organisms
which inhabit e7tremely diffic!lt sites that may be
dry; hot; cold;windy or all of the abo-e.
Hornworts= *+nthocerophyta, ha-e
<ndophytic *inside&plant, Cyanobacteria
which reside in m!cilage filled
chambers within the thall!s.
Hornworts are coloniAers and inhabit
wet; !nstable sites. :he ability to get
8 from the C$s is e7tremely ad-antageo!s beca!se 8 is
!s!ally a limiting element in terrestrial en-ironments. +s
they decay Hornworts release their 8 which becomes
a-ailable for more comple7 plants. Species in the
+nthocerophyta can be seen near eroded and trampled
areas in the local mo!ntains.
+Aolla= :he a@!atic fern +Aolla *Pterophyta, forms
a symbiosis with 8ostoc species. :hese inhabit a
c!p&shaped area formed by the -entral lea-es of
the fern. :he C$s fi7 nitrogen and release
nitrogen&rich metabolites into the leaf ca-ity. :hese
are absorbed by the +Aolla which releases
carbohydrates that are absorbed by the C$s. 6t is
almost impossible to separate the symbiotic
partners once they become established. :his
relationship has been !sed for cent!ries in rice
c!lti-ation beca!se it pro-ides a cheap; renewable
and poll!tion&free so!rce of fertiliAer.
Cycads= *Cycadophyta, form an interesting
symbiosis with 8ostoc. :he C$s li-e in a circ!lar
Aone that de-elops in !pward growing root nod!les.
:he nod!les de-elop a special tiss!e layer that
!ndergoes mitosis and a!tolysis in the presence of
the C$s. Cycads occ!py poor habitats and are almost
e7tinct. :heir symbiotic relationship with C$s is one
reason why they still can be fo!nd in nat!re.
Cycas
)pward %rowing 'oot
8od!les
Cross Section thro!gh a root
nod!le showing the dark
Aone that contains
Cyanobacteria.
Long Section thro!gh a
'oot 8od!le= :he dark
areas contain
Cyanobacteria.
Commercial Cross Section
showing the "+lgal 9one"
which contains C$s
:hin section showing the
Cyanobacteria in the
"+lgal 9one".
%!nnera= *+nthophyta, is a gen!s of flowering
plants. :hese prod!ce papillose o!tgrowths near the
base of their enormo!s lea-es. C$s are able to
coloniAe these areas and e-en penetrate the cells in
this str!ct!re. +t least one %!nnera species grows in
Hawaii. (ne of Dr. Lamo!re!7's former st!dents
worked on these plants.
%!nnera growing in Hawaii
%rowth 2orms
Single Cells &3 Colonies &3 2ilaments &3 $ranched
2ilaments
Synechococc!s
Crococc!s
Cells of +nacystis
+nacystis Colony
8ostoc $all *Colony, icroscopic Diew
of a 8ostoc Colony
8ostoc 2ilaments seen with Phase
icroscopy
6ndi-id!al 8octoc
2ilaments from a
large Colony
(Phase Microscopy)
2ilaments
+nabaena
(scillatoria
(scillatoria <mbossed
Planktothri7 sp.
Lyngbya sp.
Spirlina sp. ha-e a Spiral filament orphology b!t the indi-id!al
cells resemble those of (scillatoria.
2ilaments may be $ranched; )nbranched or Cl!stered
Calothri7
:olypthri7
%leotrichia Colony
%leotrichia 6ndi-id!als
Cell Di-ision
Plasma embrane 4 6nner .
Wall Layers
6n-aginate 4 form a
Sept!m which grows
%rows 6nward and
Separates the cells.
6ntercell!lar Comm!nication
icroplasmodesmata connect ad5acent cells in the
filament.
Cell Shape
)niform &3 :apering &3 8arrow +pical
%rowth # %eneral *8o +pical eristems,
Cell :ypes
Cyanobacteria are Prokaryotes.
:hey ha-e 8o 8!clear <n-elope 4
8o embrane&$o!nd (rganelles
Degetati-e Cell &3 Photosynthesis
Heterocysts ha-e a 'o!nd Shape 4 :hick Cell Walls.
:hey often appear to be de-oid of contents at the
light microscope le-el.
:hey ha-e Photosynthetic :hylakoids which contain
Chlorophyll a and the other photosynthetic pigments.
:hese are 6n-aginations of the Plasmalemma.
Cyanophycin %ran!les *CP%, contain +mino +cids
carbohydrates.
Heterocysts seen with different types of Light icroscopy
Heterocyst seen with an <lectron icroscope
Heterocysts
Heterocysts are the sites for the fi7ation of
atmospheric 8itrogen.
:hey are Degetati-e cells that are con-erted into
Heterocysts.
+n (7ygen&free +naerobic <n-ironment is
'e@!ired beca!se (7ygen inhibits
8itrogenase
:he :hick Cell Walls are relati-ely
imper-io!s to (7ygen and this helps to
create an anaerobic en-ironment inside the
Heterocyst.
:he internal embranes are thylakoids
that ha-e lost Chlorophyll. :hey pro-ide
the sites for 8itrogenase.
(ther cell contents are generally lost.
:his helps to e7plain the lack of detail
seen with the light icroscope.
S< of 'i-!laria sp.
showing the Pore *arrow,
that connects the
Heterocyst *H, to a
Degetati-e cell *D,
Heterocysts are connected to the
Degetati-e Cells thro!gh a special pore in
their end walls. :hese are m!ch larger
than the icroplasmodesmata.
Larger 6mage of an Akinete
+kinetes
+kinetes are +se7!al Propag!les.
:hese are also deri-ed from Degetati-e Cells.
:hese tend to be <lliptical in shape.
:hey ha-e -ery thick walls.
S!r-i-e !nfa-orable Conditions
any thylakoids can be seen with an <lectron
icroscope.
:he :hylakoids are 8(: 8ot (rganiAed
for Photosynthesis.
:hey contain Storage Prod!cts
Cyanophycin %ran!les *+mino +cids,
Lipids
Cell Str!ct!re )ltrastr!ct!re&Prokaryote
SiAe # Small -s <!karyotic
Smallest # E!
Comple7 Cell Sheath 4 Wall
Sheath
+nabaena with a nearly transl!cent Sheath=
6dentify the 'o!nd Smooth&looking Cell.
Some # :hin Watery
(thers &3 :hick 4 2ibro!s
Composition # +cidic Polysaccharides similar to
Pectins
6nner Layer is called the %lycocaly7 d!e to the
presence of %lycoproteins. :hese are proteins that
contain S!gars as S!gar +mides.
+ %lycocaly7 is not present in all casesC
Pro-ides a $!ffering icroen-ironment.
Pili
(bser-ed in Some Species *Synechococ!s & 8ostoc,
<7tend from Wall thro!gh Sheath
:!b!lar & Protein Composition
F/ nm 7 E/// nm
2!nction )nknown & SecretionG
S!rface Spines *Spinae,
Seen in some arine 2orms
*i.e. Synechococ!s, &3
Conical 4 Pro5ect from S!rface
Helical Constr!ction
2!nction G DefenseG G $!oyancyG
Cell Wall
%ram 8egati-e $acteria
2o!r Layers & *E// + each,
Layer H # (!ter embrane & <nAymes
Some are Digesti-e
<nAymes.
Layer I # <lectron :ransparent
Layer . # !copolymer *%lycoproteins,
:hicker in Certain Species like (scillatoria sp.
+kinetes &3 :his layer is :hicker
Pro-ides Protection from the <n-ironment
this aids in
+se7!al 'eprod!ction
Layer E # <lectron :ransparent
6mmediately (!tside Plasmalemma
Pores
Present in :rans-erse 4 Lateral Walls
+ssociated with %liding o-ements
2!nction #SecretoryG
+bsence of 8!clear <n-elope
$acterial "Chromosome"
Center of Cell
Photosynthetic +pparat!s
:hylakoids
6n-agination of Plasmalemma
8!mber & 'esponds to Light 6ntensity
Low light &3 any
High Light &3 2ew
(scillatoria :hylakoids # ./J
Dry Weight
Principally 2o!nd & Peripheral
+rea of Cell
Dario!s +ppearances
Series of Layers
)nd!lated
Sac&Like
:!be&Like
2reeAe <tch &3 'e-eals S!rface Particles *2l!id
osaic odel,
Photosynthetic Pigments
Principal Light Har-esting
Pigment Chlorophyll a
+ccessory Pigments
Carotenoids $&
Carotene 4 9ea7anthin
:hylakoids ha-e a Precise Spacing
:his is partly d!e to the
Phycobilisomes which are attached to
the S!rface of the :hylakoids
Phycobilisomes contain +ccessory Pigments for
Photosynthesis
:hese are Water Sol!ble and are stabiliAed by bonds
to Proteins.
:hese incl!de the following Pigments.
C&Phycocyanins +bsorb %reen&Bellow Light *FE1&
F./+,.
+llophycocyanins +bsorb (range&'ed *F1/&F0/+,
C&Phycoerythrin +bsorbs %reen Light *HK1&10/)
:he Disible Spectr!m
Light 'eaching :he S!rface of the <arth
Peak appro7. 1// nm
Drops (ff at Higher 4 Lower Wa-elengths
Chlorophyll 4 Carotenoids
$road +bsorbency in the $l!e
Drops (ff in %reen
%ood +bsorbency in 'ed Light
Poor +bsorbency at 11/&F1/ nm
Phycobillin Pigments
Phycoerythrin %ood +bsorbency 1// & F// nm
Phycocyanin %ood +bsorbency 11/ & F1/ nm
+llophycocyanin %ood +bsorbency F// & F01
6f we combine al of these; incl!ding Chlorophyll there
is good light absorption across the Disible Spectr!mC
%ood Co-erage e7cept at 1//nm
+bsorption of Light by Water
'ed 4 $l!e &3 Preferentially +bsorbed
Wa-elengths 1// & F//nm +bsorbed Least
:his region of the Spectr!m corresponds with
+bsorption Spectra of Phycobillins.
%as Dac!oles
$acteria *Common,
Cyanobacteria
Common in 8at!re b!t Lost in
C!lt!re.
Composition
embrane $o!nd
Proteinaceo!s Walls
*E/J Cells' Protein,
Long Cylinders
Conical <nds
'eg!lates Density of Cells
Controls Position in Water
Col!mn
Desicles 2ill with %as L&&3 Collapse
'eg!lated by Photosynthesis
<cological Significance
+lgal $looms *%as Dac!oles 8(: 'eg!lated,
C$ 2loat to S!rface
assi-e 'eprod!ction
:o7ins &3 Mill other (rganisms
+erial Diew of a Large Cyanobacterial $loom
icrocystis $loom
Cyanophyte $loom
8itrogen 2i7ation
8ostocaceae &3 Heterocysts
arine Species with Heterocysts
Calothri7 4 Scytonema
Heterocysts
:hese ha-e enlarged :hick Walls &3 :he o!ter
en-elope is $ilayered.
(!ter Layer contains mostly
Polysaccharide.
6nner Layer is composed of
%lycolipids.
6nternal embranes ha-e a
concentric to 'etic!late Pattern
Lack Photosystem 66
*(7ygen 'eleasing Step,
8itrogenase is Sensiti-e to (7ygen which inhibits 8&
fi7ation.
8 2i7ation # +naerobic
8 Le-els reg!late Heterocyst Prod!ctionNLow 8 le-els
stim!late heterocyst formation.
8onHeterocystic 8&2i7ation
(scillatoria *Planktonic,
2i7 8 & Low (7ygen *Paerl 4 $ebo!t EKOO,
+ssociated with o-ement *E/ microns>Second,
%liding 4 'otating
Secretion &3 Pores
Contractile Wa-es
!cilage
'eprod!ction
2ragmentation
Hormogonia %liding 2ragment
+kinetes &3
Some Species
<nlarged
:hick Walls
'esist Heat & Dro!ght &
Cold




<cological 'oles
:errestrial <n-ironments
Pioneering (rganisms contrib!te fi7ed nitrogen 4
some biomass.
:hey may be 2ree Li-ing
8ostoc $alls can grow on bare soil
incl!ding Dolcanic Sites.
:hey can be <piphytic and e-en <piAooic.
:heir Symbiotic relationships with Lichens
is ecologically important.
(ther symbiotic relationships are
significant of the plants which ha-e them.
+Aolla can carpet the s!rface
of small lakes and ponds. :his
can be a ma5or; local ecological
effect.
:he symbiosis with Hornworts
*+nthocerophyta, may ha-e
ecological significance in Hawaii
beca!se Hornworts coloniAe
dist!rbed sites like pig r!ns and
r!noff streams.
2resh Water
Cyanobacteria can grow in thermal Hot Springs where
algal photosynthetic organisms can't s!r-i-e. :hey
deposit limestone in the process.
Howe-er; this is an e7tremely slow
process.
:hey can grow in low light
en-ironments d!e to their Phycobillin
pigments.
:hey 'elease Carbon 4 8itrogen etabolites which
can stim!late the growth of other organisms.
:hey can grow at low (7ygen le-els and may enrich
the local (7ygen concentration beca!se the prod!ce
(..
'esist %raAing by Protists this can lead to enhanced
Cyanobacterial pop!lations that can lead to "blooms".
:heir relati-ely high tolerance to heat can lead to
"blooms" ca!sed by thermal poll!tion.
:ropical 'eefs
:hey are ab!ndant in the 2ringing 'eef Platform
:hey are also Part of (pport!nistic 2ilamento!s
+lgae which cling to larger organisms.
:his can be a Highly Prod!cti-e>+rea
8&2i7ation *Calothri7,
:heir ability to 2i7 +tmospheric 8itrogen contrib!tes
Significantly to prod!cti-ity of $enthic Comm!nities.
:hey also can ha-e associations with acroalgae 4
Corals.
:heir 8&2i7ation 'ates Parallel those of :errestrial
Systems like the +lfalfa&'hiAobi!m symbiosis.
Some Hawaiian arine Cyanobacteria
Link to Hawaiian Cyanobacteria from
"Seaweeds of Hawaii" by William H. agr!der and "effrey W. H!nt
Hormothamion enteromorphoides
%reen Color & Delicate 2ilaments & :angled with (ther
Species & 2ilaments . & O cm & :idepools 4 'eef 2lats
Lyngbya ma5!sc!la
$lack & Dark %ray & 'ed & %reen & Bellow & 2ilaments 1 &
E/ cm & :angled with other species

Symploca hydnoides
)pright :riang!lar Shoots & Common Holdfast & Color #
$lack & %ray & 'eef 2lats
Lyngbya ma5!sc!la