Anabaena
Sign in to saveAnabaena is a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that exist as plankton. They are known for nitrogen-fixing abilities, and they form symbiotic relationships with certain plants, such as the mosquito fern. They are one of four genera of cyanobacteria that produce neurotoxins, which are harmful to local wildlife, as well as farm animals and pets. Production of these neurotoxins is assumed to be an input into its symbiotic relationships, protecting the plant from grazing pressure.
Article
8 sectionsContents
- Species
- Recent changes
- Nitrogen fixation by ''Anabaena''
- Primitive vision pigments studied in ''Anabaena''
- DNA repair
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Anabaena is a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that exist as plankton. They are known for nitrogen-fixing abilities, and they form symbiotic relationships with certain plants, such as the mosquito fern. They are one of four genera of cyanobacteria that produce neurotoxins, which are harmful to local wildlife, as well as farm animals and pets. Production of these neurotoxins is assumed to be an input into its symbiotic relationships, protecting the plant from grazing pressure.
A DNA sequencing project was undertaken by the United States Department of Energy between 1999 and 2005. This project mapped the complete genome of model organism Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413, which is 7.2 million base pairs long. A paper detailing the process was published in 2014. The study focused on heterocysts, which convert nitrogen into ammonia. Certain species of Anabaena have been used on rice paddy fields, proving to be an effective natural fertilizer.