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Related Concept Videos

Bacterial Phylum Cyanobacteria01:30

Bacterial Phylum Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are a diverse group of oxygenic, phototrophic bacteria that played a pivotal role in converting Earth’s atmosphere from anoxic to oxygen-rich billions of years ago. They exhibit remarkable morphological diversity, ranging from unicellular forms to filamentous types, with cell sizes varying between 0.5 μm and 100 μm. Cyanobacteria are classified into five groups: Chroococcales (unicellular, dividing by binary fission), Pleurocapsales (unicellular, dividing by multiple fission),...
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:37

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
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Prokaryotic Cells01:51

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains—Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common organisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins. However,...
Prokaryotic Cells01:28

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains — Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common microorganisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.
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Vertical Immobilization Method for Time-Lapse Microscopy Analysis in Filamentous Cyanobacteria
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Vertical Immobilization Method for Time-Lapse Microscopy Analysis in Filamentous Cyanobacteria

Published on: September 25, 2023

Compartmentalized function through cell differentiation in filamentous cyanobacteria.

Enrique Flores1, Antonia Herrero

  • 1Instituto de Bioqumica Vegetal y Fotosntesis, CSIC and Universidad de Sevilla, Amrico Vespucio 49, E41092 Seville, Spain. eflores@ibvf.csic.es

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|December 8, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Cyanobacteria, crucial for oxygenic photosynthesis, form multicellular filaments. This review explores their intercellular communication and heterocyst differentiation for nitrogen fixation.

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Vertical Immobilization Method for Time-Lapse Microscopy Analysis in Filamentous Cyanobacteria
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Published on: November 10, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Bacteriology
  • Microbial Ecology
  • Photosynthesis Research

Background:

  • Cyanobacteria are a diverse bacterial group performing oxygenic photosynthesis.
  • Many are multicellular, forming filaments with specialized cells.
  • Heterocysts are differentiated cells for nitrogen (N2) fixation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review intercellular communication in cyanobacteria.
  • To discuss the supracellular structure of cyanobacterial filaments.
  • To explain the principles of heterocyst differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of cyanobacterial biology.
  • Analysis of intercellular signaling mechanisms.
  • Examination of genetic and environmental factors in differentiation.

Main Results:

  • Cyanobacterial filaments exhibit complex supracellular organization.
  • Intercellular communication is vital for coordinating cell functions.
  • Heterocyst differentiation is a regulated process involving specific signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding cyanobacterial communication and differentiation is key to their ecological roles.
  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on these complex processes.
  • Further research can elucidate novel signaling pathways and regulatory networks.