Examples of heterocyst in the following topics:
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- Thick-walled heterocysts, which contain the enzyme nitrogenase, vital for nitrogen fixation.
- Heterocysts may also form under the appropriate environmental conditions (anoxic) when fixed nitrogen is scarce.
- Heterocyst-forming species are specialized for nitrogen fixation and are able to bind nitrogen gas to ammonia (NH3), nitrites (NO−2) or nitrates (NO−3).
- However, the latter two–Nostocales and Stigonematales–are monophyletic, and make up the heterocystous cyanobacteria.