Microcystis

Microcystis aeruginosa

Microcystis is a genus of the tribe of cyanobacteria ( blue-green algae ).

Description

Microcystis is up to about 1 mm in size growing aggregates of many embedded in jelly cells. The curd is formed spherical to irregular and unstratified. The cells are blue-green to olive green in color and spherical in shape. They reach a size of 1-9 microns. In the cells are like all bacteria have no nucleus and no plastids. Most cells contain so-called gas vacuoles. It is filled with air, surrounded by a special membrane protein cavities. Through the setting up and dismantling of these vacuoles, the cells can change their density, which allows them to float in the open water column of lakes.

Reproduction

Asexual reproduction occurs by cell division. The dividing planes on successive partitions are arranged perpendicular to each other. Aggregates can also fragment.

Sexual reproduction does not occur in cyanobacteria.

Dissemination

Microcystis lives in the plankton of small and large, stagnant water. The species sometimes forms algal blooms.

Types (selection)

  • Microcystis aeruginosa
  • Microcystis botrys
  • Microcystis leavens
  • Microcystis parasitica
  • Microcystis thermalis

Swell

  • Karl -Heinz Linne von Berg, Kerstin Hoef -Emden, Birger Marin, Michael Melkonian: The Cosmos algae leader. The main freshwater algae under the microscope. Franckh Cosmos, 2006, ISBN 3-440-09719-6.
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