Akinete

large, thick-walled cell filled with nutrients, which makes a surviving during droughts, or unfavorable conditions possible.

Trichome

a characteristic of the filament growth phase of the Cyanobacteria (and/or hair-like structures at the cell surface with plants)

life that uses light as an energy source to develop its own nutrients

autotroph

life forms that have the ability to build organic molecules (sugar) from inorganic molecules, eg Photosynthesis in plants

heterotroph

life form that cannont produce its own organic compounds, and so must consume pre-made organics. The opposite of an autotroph.

Symbiosis

if two different organisms which live together and benefit from the presence of the other

Toxin

poison

Heterozyste

specialized cells, which bind atmospheric nitrogen

Genus

superordinate grouping of biological systematics, which contain several very close related kinds

Gasvacuole

organelle in the cell cytoplasma, which is filled with gas and causes the cell to rise in water. Gasvacuoles play an important role during the formation of an alga bloom

PCC

Pasteur Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria (cultural collection at Institut for Pasteur in Paris), reference collection of Cyanobacteria, which reflect the usual, taxonomical organization of Cyanobacteria into five sections

Gallerte

Slimy casing of a bacteria cell