Mineral Nutrition Question 54
54. Which of the following can fix atmospheric nitrogen?
[1995]
(a) Albugo
(b) Cystopus
(c) Saprolegnia
(d) Anabaena
Show Answer
Answer : d
Hints & Solution
(d) Anabaena is a nitrogen fixing blue-green alga composed of barrel-shaped cells held in a gelatinous matrix. So it can fix atmospheric nitrogen. Anabaena may produce a few different toxins, including anatoxin and microcystin. Ingestion of small amounts of toxin can cause gastrointestinal distress. If elevated levels of the algal toxin microcystin are present in the water and ingested, serious liver damage can result.
