What is the Difference Between Bacteria and Cyanobacteria?

Bacteria and cyanobacteria are both prokaryotic microorganisms, but they have some key differences:

1. Chlorophyll: Cyanobacteria contain chlorophyll-a, which gives them their characteristic blue-green color, while most bacteria do not contain chlorophyll.
2. Photosynthesis: Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic and derive their energy through photosynthesis, while many bacteria do not have this capability.
3. Cell Wall Composition: The cell wall of bacteria is made up of glycolipids and peptidoglycan, whereas the cell wall of cyanobacteria is made up of cellulose and pectin.
4. Locomotion: Bacteria typically move using flagella, while cyanobacteria move through passive and gliding movement.
5. Fimbriae/Pili: Bacteria have fimbriae or pili, which are hair-like structures that aid in attachment and communication, while cyanobacteria do not have these structures.
6. Extracellular Coat: Bacteria have a capsule as an extracellular coat, while cyanobacteria have a gelatinous sheath.
7. Protoplast: In bacteria, the protoplast is not zoned, while in cyanobacteria, the protoplast is distinguished as chromoplasm and centroplasm.
8. Photosynthetic Pigment: Photosynthetic pigments are present in green and purple bacteria, whereas all cyanobacteria contain photosynthetic pigments.
9. Reserve Food: Bacteria store glycogen as reserve food, while cyanobacteria store cyanophycean starch.
10. Hydrogen Donor: During photosynthesis, hydrogen donors differ between the two groups. In cyanobacteria, the hydrogen donor is not water, so oxygen is not evolved, making the process anoxygenic. In bacteria, the hydrogen donor is water, and oxygen is evolved, making the process oxygenic.
11. Spore Formation: Spore formation is endogenous in bacteria, while it is not endogenous in cyanobacteria.

Comparative Table: Bacteria vs Cyanobacteria

Bacteria and cyanobacteria are both prokaryotic microorganisms, but they have some differences in their characteristics. Here is a table comparing their features:

Both bacteria and cyanobacteria are found in various environments, including terrestrial, marine, and freshwater habitats. While some bacteria are capable of photosynthesis, most of them are heterotrophic, obtaining their energy from organic compounds. In contrast, cyanobacteria are autotrophic, deriving their energy from photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria are larger than other bacteria and possess a characteristic blue-green color due to the presence of the pigment phycocyanin and chlorophyll a.