Nutrition & Adaptations

     

    [Cyanobacteria Spriulina]

(n.d) Cyanobacteria Spirulina
 Retrieved from: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.
edu/bacteria/cyanolh.html (04/17/2013)

Nutrition
Most Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic organisms, meaning they have the ability to produce their own food using the energy from sunlight. Their process for photosynthesis is carried out, in part, by a photosynthetic pigment called Phycobilin.  Phycobilin are light-capturing molecules that bond to water-soluble proteins called phycobiliproteins. Phycobiliproteins pass light energy to  chlorophylls during photosynthesis. As well, in Cyanobacteria, rubisco enzymes help to convert carbon dioxide into sugars. 

In nutrient-rich waters, along with phosphorus-rich waters, Cyanobacteria  bloom.

Although Cyanobacteria can pose a risk to humans' health, it is sometimes consumed as food (the cyanobacterium Spirulina).It is high in protein, and easily accessible at ponds, especially historically in tropical countries where it was regularly eaten by the Aztecs and served in numerous Oriental dishes. Cyanobacteria Spirulinais are also eaten in America due to its health status, and is sold in stores in the form of a dried powder or tablet. 

Adaptations
Through evolution, Cyanobacteria have made adaptations to their environment, such as these listed below:

• use longer wavelengths of light
• use air-filled vacuoles to colonize deeper water
• absorb UV
• survive long spells of darkness