Cyanobacteria vs Green Algae: Difference and Comparison

Cyanobacteria and Green Algae are both organisms which are found in aquatic habitats. They grow from the evolution of algae. They are known as photosynthetic organisms.

Key Takeaways

  1. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms that can carry out photosynthesis, while green algae are eukaryotic organisms capable of photosynthesis.
  2. Cyanobacteria are commonly found in freshwater and marine environments, while green algae are found in a wider range of habitats, including freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments.
  3. Cyanobacteria can harm other organisms due to their ability to produce toxins, while green algae are not harmful to other organisms.

Cyanobacteria vs Green Algae

The difference between Cyanobacteria vs Green Algae is Cyanobacteria are prokaryotes, and Green Algae are eukaryotes. Green algae contain chloroplast, but Cyanobacteria do not contain chloroplast. Green algae do not undergo nitrogen fixation, but Cyanobacteria undergo nitrogen fixation. Green Algae cannot store nutrients, but Cyanobacteria is enough and sufficient to store nutrients.

Cyanobacteria vs Green Algae

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotes. It does not contain chloroplast, which is why it is not green in color. Some cyanobacteria are heterotrophs. They are mainly found in aquatic habitats.

Green Algae are Eukaryotes. They contain chloroplast, which leads to green color in them. It is surrounded by membrane-bound organelles.

Comparison Table

Parameter of ComparisonCyanobacteriaGreen Algae
Type of OrganismProkaryotesEukaryotes
Membrane-Bound OrganellesYesNo
ChloroplastNoContains one or more chloroplast
Nitrogen FixationIt undergoesIt does not undergo
SwimNoYes
ReproductionAsexualSexual, Asexual
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What are Cyanobacteria?

It is a photosynthetic bacteria. It has some pigments which undergo nitrogen fixation. It can be found in freshwater habitats. It can also be found in soil. It is either unicellular or multicellular.

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These pigments have different colors. Phycoerythrin is red, and Phycocyanin is blue. It has vacuoles inside them. It is a prokaryotic organism. Some Cyanobacteria are heterotrophs.

It has no memory-bound organelles. It is capable of producing its food. It has a high capability to store nutrients in them. It does not undergo sexual reproduction. It lives symbiotically.

The gliding behaviour in them occurs due to changes in the trichome, which changes the depth of the organism inside the water. It undergoes asexual reproduction.

cyanobacteria

What is Green Algae?

This is a photosynthetic organism. It has chlorophyll present in it, which makes it green in color. It also contains other pigments like beta-carotene and xanthophyll.

The food is stored as starch or fats. Chloroplast contains photosynthetic pigment. It has a large cell. It is either uninucleated or multinucleated.

It can also undergo asexual reproduction by the formation of zoospores. It undergoes sexual reproduction by the formation of gametes, either same-size gametes or male or female gametes.

It consists of membrane-bound organelles. It contains more than one cell, which contains chloroplast. It does not contain any nutrients because it has no stability to contain nutrients.

Algae

Main Differences Between Cyanobacteria and Green Algae

  1. Cyanobacteria cannot swim in the water, but Green Algae can swim in the water.
  2. Cyanobacteria do not sexually reproduce, but Green Algae sexually reproduce.
Difference Between Cyanobacteria and Green Algae
References
  1. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-007-3855-3_1
  2. https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.3732/ajb.91.10.1535

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Piyush Yadav
Piyush Yadav

Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.

24 Comments

  1. The scientific articulation of the differences between cyanobacteria and green algae, especially the detailed descriptions of their reproductive behaviors, greatly enhances the intellectual value of this article. The thought-provoking content presented through these comments is of utmost quality.

    • I am thoroughly impressed by the intellectual depth and scientific precision demonstrated in your comment. It provides invaluable insight into these organisms and enriches the overall discourse on the topic.

  2. The detailed comparison table provides a clear and concise overview of the distinctions between cyanobacteria and green algae, making it easier for readers to comprehend the complex information. The references you have included further solidify the credibility of the content.

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    • The intellectual depth and critical analysis reflected in the comments significantly enhance the informative content of this article, providing readers with a compelling study of cyanobacteria and green algae.

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  5. Cyanobacteria are capable of producing its food and have the capability to store nutrients. Green Algae, on the other hand, store food as starch or fats. Chloroplast contains a photosynthetic pigment and is either uninucleated or multinucleated.

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  9. The detailed explanation of the main differences between cyanobacteria and green algae, especially the fact that cyanobacteria do not sexually reproduce, but green algae do, is a key takeaway from the article. It provides essential insight into their respective reproductive mechanisms.

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    • Your point about the reproductive differences is particularly enlightening. It showcases the biological disparities between the two organisms in a lucid and informative manner.

  10. Cyanobacteria and Green Algae are organisms found in aquatic habitats and grow from the evolution of algae. They are known as photosynthetic organisms. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic organisms that can carry out photosynthesis, while green algae are eukaryotic organisms capable of photosynthesis.

    • Your explanation regarding the difference and the importance of these organisms is highly informative. I wasn’t aware of the key differences between cyanobacteria and green algae, your comment has expanded my knowledge.

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