Kingdom Monera What are PROKARYOTES? They are ancient life forms known as bacteria No true nucleus No chloroplasts No mitochondria other organelles Two major classes of bacteria TEM of dividing cell Archaebacteria & Eubacteria Methanogens Extreme Thermophiles Extreme Halophiles Cyanobacteria (Blue-green algae) & other Gram negative bacteria Gram positive bacteria

PHYCOLOGY SLIDE SHOW CYANOPHYTA-Blue green algae THE FOLLOWING ARE DIVISION CYANOPHYTA-Blue green algae

CYANOBACTERIA - the ‘Blue-Green Algae are in the kingdom monera

Some Characteristics of the Cyanobacteria * Contain Chlorophyll a and carotenoids, plus the phycobilins (proteinaceous photosynthetic pigments) phycocyanin and phycoerythrin (c f. Rhodophyta), found in thylakoids * Have cell walls of peptidoglycan, often with a mucilaginous sheath * The carbohydrate stored is glycogen * No flagella, but some exhibit gliding movements * Some fix nitrogen in specialized cells called heterocysts

In some genera the mucilaginous sheath forms a gelatinous matrix Individual cells Gloeocapsa Filaments of Nostoc commune forming a gelatinous ball

Division Cyanophyta Bacteria that are: Photosynthetic (convert light energy to food) Produce O2 as a byproduct of photosynthesis Some produce toxins TEM of dividing cell Some have capacity to fix N2 into NH4 Some have formed millions of years old stromatolites as living structures Cyanophytes have changed the path of evolution on earth

Ancient organisms but well suited to earth’s habitats General features Ancient organisms but well suited to earth’s habitats Habitats: virtually everywhere Oceans Freshwater 2000 species, 150 genera Soil Hotsprings Epiphytes Endophytes Morphological Range: Unicells to complex multicell organisms Cell Walls: Gram negative bacteria Trichodesmium blooms can cover 2x106 km2 and be seen via satellites NASA

Diversity

DIVISION CYANOPHYTA CLASS-CYANOPHYCEAE ORDER-CHROOCOCCALES Gloeocapsa Merismopedia microcystis ORDER-OSCILATORIALES Oscilatoria Lyngbya Nostoc Anabaena

Diversity Order Chroococcales Microcystis Merismopedia

Diversity Order Nostocales

Growth & morphology False branching Order Nostocales : 1. Rupture of sheath and cells 2. Remaining cells at both ends continue to grow 3. Both trichomes push through weakened sheath What to look for? Is there a change in the plane of cell division?

New Cell Types Nitrogen fixation supports protein synthesis Order Nostocales polar heterocysts Nitrogen fixation supports protein synthesis 1. Low N in environment 2. Cell differentiates as a specialized cell, the heterocyst 3. Creates setting for Nitrogenase enzyme 4. Enzyme converts N2  NH4+

Growth & morphology Order Nostocales Nitrogen fixation & Azolla in rice fields replace fertilizers 1. Low N in environment 2. Heterocysts differentiate 3. Enzyme converts N2  NH4+ 4. Water fern benefits from fertilizer 5. Rice fields are more productive intercalary heterocysts

Other cell types Akinete Order Nostocales Anabaena

Cool stuff Order Nostocales

Blue green algae

merismopedia

oscillatoria

gloeocapsa

Nostoc

Nostoc

Nostoc

Anabaena

Anabaena

Anabaena

Anabaena

THE END