cyanobacteria

¹

[sahy-uh-noh-bak-teer-ee-uh, sahy-an-oh-]

plural noun

singular

cyanobacterium 

1. Microbiology.,  a widely distributed group of photosynthetic bacteria, occurring singly or in colonies in terrestrial and aquatic habitats: often mistakenly referred to as algae, especially when called by their most common misnomer, blue-green algae .

Cyanobacteria

²

[sahy-uh-noh-bak-teer-ee-uh, sahy-an-oh-]

noun

Microbiology.

1. the phylum, or subkingdom, that comprises the cyanobacteria.

cyanobacteria

/ ˌsaɪənəʊbækˈtɪərɪə /

plural noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyanobacteria¹

First recorded in 1975–80; cyano- ¹ + bacteria

Origin of cyanobacteria²

See cyanobacteria ( def. )

Example Sentences

The increased supply of phosphorus benefits cyanobacteria that live on the surface of the brown algae.

Read more on Science Daily

However, oxygenic photosynthesis -- produced by cyanobacteria -- had likely evolved hundreds of millions of years before this event.

Read more on Science Daily

Unlike most other oceans where cyanobacteria dominate nitrogen fixation, the Arctic Ocean relies on an entirely different group of bacteria known as non-cyanobacteria.

Read more on Science Daily

Their findings point to a connection between this disorientation and long-term exposure to harmful compounds produced by cyanobacteria -- microscopic organisms that thrive in warm, nutrient-rich waters.

Read more on Science Daily

Technically known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae is a collection of microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams.

Read more on BBC