Cyanobacteria - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria, often called blue-green algae, that produce oxygen and live in water or moist environments. They play a key role in Earth's ecosystems.
Definition:
Photosynthetic bacteria found in water, producing oxygen and sometimes forming harmful algal blooms.
Synonyms:
blue-green algae, cyanophyta, cyanoprokaryotes
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
(No direct antonyms; contextually) heterotrophic bacteria, non-photosynthetic organisms
Common Collocations:
harmful cyanobacteria, cyanobacteria blooms, marine cyanobacteria, freshwater cyanobacteria, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria
Derivatives:
cyanobacterial, cyanobacterium
Usage Tips:
Use "cyanobacteria" when referring to the photosynthetic microorganisms; avoid calling them algae despite their colloquial name "blue-green algae."
Common Phrases:
(No common phrases or idioms)
Etymology:
From Greek *kyanos* (blue) + *bakterion* (small rod), referring to their blue-green pigmentation and bacterial nature.
Examples:
- 1. Cyanobacteria thrive in warm freshwater lakes.
- 2. Some cyanobacteria produce toxins harmful to aquatic life.
- 3. Scientists study ancient cyanobacteria to understand early Earth's atmosphere.
- 4. Cyanobacteria blooms can turn water green and murky.