Question

What is the function of heterocyst?

Answer 1

Heterocyst:

1. Heterocysts are colourless cells found in cyanobacteria that act as a nitrogen fixer.
2. The plasmodesmata connections connect these cells to the surrounding cells and help them draw nutrients from them.
3. Heterocyst is a transparent thick-walled empty cell that is present in the filaments of blue-green algae.
4. They are formed during cases of nitrogen starvation.
5. They are the site of nitrogen fixation as they contain the enzyme nitrogenase required for nitrogen fixation.
6. The main function of heterocyst is to fix nitrogen.
7. Examples of blue-green algae containing heterocysts are Nostoc punctiforme, Cylindrospermum stagnale, and Anabaena sphaerica.