Name the cyanobacteria which are helpful in fixing atmospheric nitrogen.

Correct answer: A. Heterocysts.

  • A. Heterocysts.
  • B. Akinetes.
  • C. Nostoc.
  • D. Hormogonia.

Explanation

Heterocysts are specialized cells found in certain filamentous cyanobacteria that are crucial for the process of nitrogen fixation. These cells create an anaerobic environment that is necessary for the nitrogenase enzyme complex to function effectively and convert atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3), which can then be utilized by the organism and other nearby plants.

This question appeared on the UHS MDCAT 2008 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Kingdom Prokaryotae

Kingdom Prokaryotae includes bacteria and cyanobacteria, organisms with no membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles. It covers their cell wall, capsule, flagella, plasmids, forms of nutrition, binary fission, useful and harmful roles, and the differences between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.

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