Name: Structure of a Prokaryotic Cell
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 5 min 38 s
Description: Prokaryotic cells are much smaller than eukaryotic cells, have no nucleus, and lack organelles. Wanna learn more? Watch this informative video.

Question

Why are blue green algae included under monera and not under plantae? Discuss the importance of cyanobacteria.

Accepted Answer

Monera includes the prokaryotic unicellular organisms which possess a naked genetic material and is not covered by any membrane. On the other hand, the genetic material of plants and other eukaryotes is held in the nucleus that is covered by a double layered nuclear membrane.

Blue green algae however are photosynthetic due to the presence of pigments like chlorophyll a, phycocyanin, phycoerythrin etc., but are still placed in Kingdom Monera and not in Kingdom Plantae because these organisms are unicellular without a well developed nucleus.

Cyanobacteria are Gram positive photosynthetic prokaryotes which perform oxygenic photosynthesis.

Importance of Cyanobacteria:
(i) These help in reclamation of alkaline soil.
(ii) Cyanobacteria have heterocysts. These heterocysts are involved in the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.
(iii) Oscillatoria and few other cyanobacteria are used as pollution indicator.
(iv) They form symbiotic association with protozoa, fungi and some plants. Some cyanobacteria also behave as the photosynthetic partners in most of lichen association.

Column I	Column II
(a) Cocci	(i) True bacteria
(b) Eubacteria	(ii) Archaebacteria
(c) Chemoautotrophs	(iii) Spherical shape
(d) Halophile	(iv) Iron bacteria
	(v) Rod shaped

Why are blue green algae included under monera and not under plantae? Discuss the importance of cyanobacteria.

Important Questions on Kingdom Monera

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