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What Enables Cyanobacteria to Make Their Own Food?

Cyanobacteria are one of nature's most abundant organisms. They can be found in marine and freshwater ecosystems, moist soil and even deserts. The most common use for cyanobacteria in popular culture is as a health supplement. A strain of cyanobacteria called spirulina has been cultivated across the world for centuries for its high concentration of vitamins and minerals.

Habitat
- Cyanobacteria are one of the world's most successful organisms. They can thrive on nearly any surface and environment. Some species of cyanobacteria are even found inside sponges, providing them with energy in the form of sugars. Cyanobacteria live in both marine and freshwater habitats, and they often bloom in areas of pollution.
Nitrogen
- Many species of cyanobacteria can use nitrogen to produce food in a process called "nitrogen fixation." During nitrogen fixation, nitrogen is absorbed in oxygen-free cysts and converted into ammonia and other compounds. These can then be converted into proteins that the cyanobacteria can use for growth and reproduction.
Carbon Dioxide
- Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic and require carbon dioxide to convert sunlight into carbohydrates. Unlike plants, cyanobacteria do not rely solely on chlorophyll for photosynthesis. In addition, they use a bluish pigment called phycocynanin, from which cyanobacteria get their name. Cyanobacteria are so abundant that it is believed they have been primarily responsible for raising the oxygen levels in the Earth's atmosphere during the planet's infancy.
Danger of Overgrowth
- Overproduction of cyanobacteria can quickly choke out marine and freshwater life.
  
  When conditions are right cyanobacteria can multiply unabated, forming a bloom. While this is often harmless, blooms can present hazards depending on the species of cyanobacteria. Some species can produce toxins for which there is no known antidote. If a bloom is large enough, the cyanobacteria can block enough sunlight to kill off all plants and animals in a body of water.

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