adjective
- Of or relating to cyanobacteria that contain heterocysts (specialized cells for nitrogen fixation).
Usage: technical; biology
Examples
- Heterocystous cyanobacteria are important in aquatic ecosystems for converting atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.
- The heterocystous filaments of Anabaena are commonly found in freshwater environments.
- Researchers studied heterocystous strains to understand nitrogen fixation mechanisms.
- Heterocystous species differ from non-heterocystous cyanobacteria in their ability to fix nitrogen independently.