noun
- A motile filament or fragment of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can separate from the parent colony and develop into a new colony.
Usage: biology; microbiology; plural: hormogonia
Examples
- The hormogonium broke away from the cyanobacterial filament and drifted through the water.
- Hormogonia are capable of independent movement and can establish new colonies in favorable environments.
- Under certain conditions, the cyanobacteria produce hormogonia as a form of asexual reproduction.
- The hormogonium's motility allows it to seek out optimal light and nutrient conditions.