The Invisible ABCs

Exploring the World of Microbes...

Letter S

Anabaena

Habitat:

 

Anabaena is a bacterium with cells that link together to form long filaments.  Anabaena is found worldwide in both freshwater and marine habitats.

 

 

Importance:

 

Anabaena is a microorganism that harvests its energy from sunlight using a process known as photosynthesis.  During photosynthesis, oxygen is released.  In addition, Anabaena and other photosynthetic microbes are the basis for the food chain in aquatic environments.

Anabaena also has the ability to utilize nitrogen directly from the air in a process called nitrogen fixation.  This is an important process because as other organisms eat the Anabaena, they can use the nitrogen-containing molecules to build the molecules they need to live.

When there are abundant nutrients present, such as when the water is polluted with sewage, Anabaena can form a scum on the surface of the water and may produce harmful neurotoxins.  These toxins can harm farm animals or pets who drink the water.

 

Classification:

 

Anabaena is one of the thin-walled bacteria known as cyanobacteria.  Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic.  Anabaena can also fix nitrogen.