The Invisible ABCs

Exploring the World of Microbes...

Letter q

Ophiocytium

Habitat:

 

Ophiocytium is widely distributed in aquatic environments.  It is commonly found in freshwater ponds, pools, lakes, rivers, creeks, and swamps.

 

Importance:

 

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

Ophiocytium 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 Ophiocytium, they can use the nitrogen-containing molecules to build the molecules they need to live.

 

Classification:

 

Ophiocytium belongs to a group of microorganisms known as yellow-green algae.  The cells can vary in shape and attach to a surface with a small stalk.