Cyanobacteria

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Every cell on our planet is either a prokaryotic or a eukaryotic cell. There are many differences between the two cell types. Bacteria and microbes from the group Archaea are prokaryotes. All other life, including plants, animals, fungus, and amoebas, are eukaryotes. Prokaryotes: Nucleus absent,Membrane-bound organelles absent, DNA in circular chromosomes, Cell division by binary fission. In Eukaryotes: Nucleus present, Membrane-bound organelles present, DNA in linear chromosomes, Cell division by mitosis and meiosis. Cyanobacteria is a Photosynthetic Prokaryote.

Cyanobacteria, formerly called "blue-green algae" are relatively simple, primitive life forms closely related to bacteria. Typically much larger than bacteria, they photosynthesize like algae.

Depending upon the species, cyanobacteria can occur as single cells, filaments of cells, or colonies. Cyanobacteria contain a characteristic pigment which gives the group their blue-green coloration.

When cyanobacteria blooms begin to die and disintegrate, this pigment may color the water a distinctive bluish color.

Cyanobacteria are found throughout the world in terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats, but blooms typically occur in freshwater.

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Cyanobacteria: Photosynthetic Prokaryotes