Cyanobacteriota

Cyanobacteriota, commonly known as cyanobacteria, are a phylum of bacteria that exhibit the ability to perform oxygenic photosynthesis. This means they are capable of converting light energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen as a byproduct, much like plants and algae. This characteristic has made them incredibly significant in the history of Earth's atmosphere, as their photosynthetic activity is credited with oxygenating the planet billions of years ago, paving the way for the evolution of aerobic life.

These microorganisms are found in a vast array of environments, from oceans and freshwater bodies to soil and even arid deserts. Their ecological roles are diverse; they can be free-living, form symbiotic relationships with other organisms, or exist as part of complex microbial communities. Some cyanobacteria are known for forming blooms, which can occur in nutrient-rich waters and sometimes lead to the production of toxins harmful to other aquatic life and humans.

Morphologically, cyanobacteria exhibit considerable variation, ranging from unicellular forms to filamentous and colonial arrangements. They possess chlorophylls and phycobilins as their primary photosynthetic pigments, which give many of them their characteristic blue-green color. Beyond their ecological and evolutionary importance, cyanobacteria are also of interest for potential biotechnological applications, including biofuel production and the synthesis of valuable compounds.