cy·a·no·bac·te·ri·um

(sī′ə-nō-băk-tîr′ē-əm, sī-ăn′ō-)

n. pl. cy·a·no·bac·te·ri·a (-tîr′ē-ə)

Any of various photosynthetic bacteria of the phylum Cyanobacteria that are generally blue-green in color and are widespread in marine and freshwater environments, with some species capable of nitrogen fixation. Also called blue-green alga, blue-green bacterium.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cyanobacteria

(ˌsaɪənəʊbækˈtɪərɪə)

pl n, sing -rium (-rɪəm)

(Microbiology) a group of photosynthetic bacteria (phylum Cyanobacteria) containing a blue photosynthetic pigment. Former name: blue-green algae

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

blue′-green` al′gae

n.pl.

any of various groups of prokaryotic microorganisms of the phylum Cyanophyta, containing chlorophyll and a blue pigment. Also called cyanobacteria.

[1895–1900]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

cyanobacteria - predominantly photosynthetic prokaryotic organisms containing a blue pigment in addition to chlorophyll; occur singly or in colonies in diverse habitats; important as phytoplankton

blue-green algae

eubacteria, eubacterium, true bacteria - a large group of bacteria having rigid cell walls; motile types have flagella

class Cyanobacteria, class Cyanophyceae, Cyanophyceae - photosynthetic bacteria found in fresh and salt water, having chlorophyll a and phycobilins; once thought to be algae: blue-green algae

nostoc - found in moist places as rounded jellylike colonies

trichodesmium - large colonial bacterium common in tropical open-ocean waters; important in carbon and nitrogen fixation

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References in periodicals archive

It is very distantly related to cyanobacteria, the main bacteria that perform oxygenic photosynthesis today.

Imperial College London: Strange bacteria hint at ancient origin of photosynthesis

Both structures contain a site that cyanobacteria and plants exclusively use to split water -- the first crucial step in oxygenic photosynthesis.

Origin of Photosynthesis: Strange Bacteria

"The cyanobacteria we found in the central basin are completely different from what we've seen in the Toledo area in the western basin," says Justin Chaffin, research coordinator at Ohio State University's Stone Laboratory.

Algal Blooms Could Produce Neurotoxins

She is examining the role of desert cyanobacteria, previously called blue-green algae, and how the neurotoxins they produce may be at least partly responsible for the onset of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases.

WCM-Q scientist studies how desert toxins could help find cure for Alzheimer's

She is examining the role of desert cyanobacteria -- previously called blue-green algae -- and how the neurotoxins they produce may be at least partly responsible for the onset of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases.

WCM-Q researcher could help find cure for Alzheimer's

These personnel were following military vehicles in the desert which were physically disturbing biocrusts containing cyanobacteria and the toxins they produce and aerosolizing them."

WCM-Q Researcher Studying Desert Toxins Could Help Find a Cure for Alzheimer's

Summary: Non-heterocystous nitrogen fixing strains of cyanobacteria were screened by their ability to grow in nitrogen deficient media.

Novel Approach for the Determination of Nitrogen Fixation in Cyanobacteria

Taronis Technologies announced that the company has completed a study using its patented plasma arc technology to effectively kill toxic cyanobacteria and the related toxins produced by the bacteria.

Taronis Technologies completes cyanobacteria decontamination study

These bioherms have well-preserved calcified cyanobacteria fossils of Epiphyton, Girvanella and Renalcis, which define the recovery phase of microbial carbonate and the first episode of cyanobacteria calcification event during the Phanerozoic in the absence of metazoans reef builders.

CALCIFIED CYANOBACTERIA FOSSILS FROM THE MICROBIALITIC BIOHERMS IN CAMBRIAN SERIES 3 AND FURONGIAN OF SHANXI PROVINCE, NORTH CHINA PLATFORM

According to a recent issue of the peer-reviewed journal, Nano Letters, the scientists transformed a typical white-button mushroom into a bionic one by supercharging it with 3D-printed cyanobacteria clusters that produce electricity and graphene nanoribbon swirls that collect the current.

Scientists create 'bionic mushroom' that generates electricity

Cyanobacteria are known among bio-engineers for their ability to generate small jolts of electricity, but until now it has beenA difficult to keep them alive in artificial conditions.

Scientists Create Electricity Through Mushrooms and Bacteria