Q39 / 432 · NTA Abhyas (NEET) 2020 · Botany · Biological Classification
Select the CORRECT statement/s regarding heterocysts.
- AThese are present in some filamentous cyanobacteria such as Nostoc and Anabaena.
- BThese cells are specialized to perform N2-fixation.
- CThese cells contain enzyme nitrogenase.
- Correct answerDAll of these
Solution
Specialized nitrogen-fixing cells found in some filamentous cyanobacteria are called heterocyst. These are modified to fix atmospheric nitrogen when faced with nitrogen starvation. Heterocyst contains the enzyme nitrogenase which helps in fixing N2 and provides nitrogen for cell biosynthesis. Since nitrogenase gets deactivated in the presence of oxygen, the heterocyst creates a micro-anaerobic environment. These cells undergo certain physiological changes like the presence of three additional cell walls, degradation of PS-II to facilitate the fixing process. Anabaena, Nostoc, etc. are common examples of having heterocyst.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.