Blue-Green Algae

General characteristics:

1. It is a slimy alga from diced Cyanophycota.
2. Contains green pigment (chlorophyll) and blue pigment (phycocyanin). That's why these algae are called "blue-green algae".
3. Most of these algae have dark blue or vary from purple to black.
4. Most blue-green algae species are single-celled organisms. This cell is very simple and its cell nucleus is less clear.
5. Several other types of blue-green algae will join together to form a yarn-shaped filament, sheet or ball. The colloid blue-green algae cells are usually attached to each other due to the mucus produced by each cell.
6. Blue-green algae breed in an asexual way.
7. Can be found in various places throughout the hemisphere and generally live in areas with sufficient humidity.
8. Blue-green algae often contaminate drinking water, causing unpleasant smell and color. The red sea in the Middle East is red because it is caused by one of the blue-green algae species.
9. Some of these types of algae live and multiply in the human digestive tract and low levels of animals. But they do not cause illness.
10. Some types of blue-green algae (such as from the Gloeocapsa and Nostoc groups) merge with fungi forming a group of organisms called crust moss.

Group of blue-green algae
1. Gloeocapsa

• Single cell.
• Sometimes forming colonies consisting of 3 or 4 cells wrapped in a gelatine sheet.
• At some point, the wrapper may break and each cell will be separated.
• Usually found on wet walls and feels slimy.
  

2. Oscillatoria

• This is the most common blue-green algae.
• Is a filamentous blue algae type.
• Composed of long filaments such as threads formed from quadrilateral cells. The sides of each cell stick together to form long strands.
  
• Cell division occurs only in end cells. This division makes the filament longer.
• Long filaments can be broken and become short filaments so that the number more. This process will happen continuously.
• Can move glide like a wave. However, these algae do not have a motion device. Biologists have not been able to explain how this movement was produced.
• Can be found anywhere as long as it is moist.
• Often seen floating in large numbers on the surface of the river or lake or on the surface of moist soil.

3. Anabaena

• Also a filamentous blue-green alga.
• However, Anabaena cannot move.
• The cells are shaped beads (round) and will line up but not irregular.
  
• Almost all types of Anabaena are aquatic plants and live limited in fresh water.
• Anabaena is a very favorite food of fish.
• If the amount is large, these algae can cause water source to be turbid and has a bad smell and taste.

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