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The Presence of Cellulose in Heterocyst Envelopes of Blue‐Green Algae and its Role in Relation to Nitrogen Fixation
Author(s) -
GRANHALL ULF
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
physiologia plantarum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.351
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1399-3054
pISSN - 0031-9317
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-3054.1976.tb03992.x
Subject(s) - heterocyst , nitrogenase , nitrogen fixation , blue green algae , cellulose , cellulase , algae , biology , botany , cell wall , green algae , cyanobacteria , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics
The present study gives evidence for the presence of cellulose in the heterocyst envelope of blue‐green algae by means of electron microscopy, cellulase treatments and specific staining and demonstrates the role of this cellulose for the protection of the heterocyst nitrogenase during acetylene reduction. Experiments with lysozyme and cellulase suggest that nitrogen fixation in heterocystous blue‐green algae under aerobic conditions is functionally effective only when an intimate relationship exists between vegetative cells and heterocysts and both cell types have intact wall structures.