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Oscillatoria willei

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oscillatoria willei
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Cyanobacteria
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Oscillatoriales
Family: Oscillatoriaceae
Genus: Oscillatoria
Species:
O. willei
Binomial name
Oscillatoria willei

Oscillatoria willei is a species of bacteria that is able to photosynthesize to make food, similarly to plants.

Anatomy

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Bacteria of the genus Oscillatoria occur in rows of cells of similar size. They form filaments called trichomes. Many trichomes are enveloped in a firm casing, but in this genus the casing is almost non-existent. This gives the filaments easier mobility in all directions.

Nitrogen fixing ability

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This species of Oscillatoria is able to fix nitrogen, but unlike other bacteria, it is uncertain whether or not it has cells specialized for that particular purpose.

Hormogonia

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Fragments of filaments of Oscillatoria willei are called hormogonia. They consist of dozens of cells, which sometimes break off to reproduce by establishing new colonies.

Danger to Humans

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Like all species of Oscillatoria, this species can cause skin irritation in humans who come in close contact with them in the tropics.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Ocean, American Museum of Natural History, 2015