Question

Which among the following statements is TRUE regarding cyanobacteria?

• A. Cyanobacteria can reproduce sexually using special cells called heterocysts.
• B. They perform oxygenic photosynthesis
• C. Photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll-b, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin are present in cyanobacteria.
• D. Cellulose is the reserve food material in cyanobacteria.

Answer 1

The correct option is B They perform oxygenic photosynthesis

Heterocysts are hyaline cells which help in nitrogen fixation and help in fragmentation. They do not help in sexual reproduction in Cyanobacteria.
The cyanobacteria lack chlorophyll b. In addition, they have phycocyanin and phycoerythrin pigments.
Cyanobacteria perform oxygenic photosynthesis which means that during photosynthesis, oxygen is released as a byproduct.
The common reserve food material in cyanobacteria is cyanophycean starch. Other inclusions include lipid droplets, volutin granules(polyphosphate), etc.