This article is about algae. For lung and other pneumatocysts, see pneumatocele. For the similarly pronounced stinging cells, see nematocyst.
Floating kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) with many pneumatocysts
In phycology, a pneumatocyst is a floating structure that contains gas found on brown seaweed. A seaweed's thallus may have more than one. They provide buoyancy to lift the blades toward the surface, allowing them to receive more sunlight for photosynthesis.
The proportion of gases in the pneumatocysts varies depending on the physiological status of the alga and the partial pressure of gases in the surrounding air or water.[1] The pneumatocyst can hold O2, CO2, N2,[1] and CO.[2]
Pneumatocyst from Nereocystis luetkeana
^ abThiel, M.; L. Gutow (2005). "The Ecology of rafting in the marine environment". Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review. 42. The Floating Substrata: 181–264.
^Foreman, Ronald E. (1976). "Physiological aspects of carbon monoxide production by the brown alga Nereocystis luetkeana". Botany. 54 (3–4): 352–360. doi:10.1139/b76-032. ISSN 1916-2804.
In phycology, a pneumatocyst is a floating structure that contains gas found on brown seaweed. A seaweed's thallus may have more than one. They provide...
syndrome, in which case it may not go away for months. Intraosseous pneumatocysts in the bone are rare and of unclear origin. They are benign and usually...
similar to Pelagophycus porra, can be identified by a single large pneumatocyst between the end of its hollow stipe and the blades. Individuals can grow...
with a pneumatocyst at the base of each blade where it attaches to the main stipe. Species of Sargassum also bear many blades and pneumatocysts, but both...
structure a single long stipe rises to the surface waters, where a large pneumatocyst keeps a tangle of blades at the surface to aid photosynthesis. The species...
flattened structure that is somewhat leaf-like Sorus: spore cluster pneumatocyst, air bladder: a flotation-assisting organ on the blade Kelp, float: a...
anchors the kelp to the substrate of the ocean. Gas-filled bladders (pneumatocysts) form at the base of blades of American species, such as Nereocystis...
the largest of all the Phaeophyceae or brown algae. Macrocystis has pneumatocysts at the base of its blades. Sporophytes are perennial and the individual...
subpinnately branched, flattened and with a distinct midrib. Gas-filled pneumatocysts (air-vesicles) are present in pairs in some species, one on either side...
uptake and photosynthetic activity. In addition, many kelp species have pneumatocysts, or gas-filled bladders, usually located at the base of fronds near...
species is made up of strings of olive-brown, spherical, gas-filled pneumatocysts (or beads), which taper towards a small holdfast. While the holdfast...
uptake and photosynthetic activity. In addition, many kelp species have pneumatocysts, or gas-filled bladders, usually located at the base of fronds near...
fronds lined with small blades each a few centimeters long. There are pneumatocysts at intervals along the fronds which provide buoyancy. The alga varies...
explanation for this is that Nereocystis uses carbon monoxide to inflate its pneumatocyst (float chambers) and that would likely make the seaweed toxic to the...
Carboniferous strata in Illinois. Each hollow blade bears up to eight pneumatocysts at its base, and the stipes appear to have been hollow and inflated...
calcified branches covered in bright red pneumatocysts. Excessively high light will pale these pneumatocysts. Also known as Red berries as well as Red...
spiny with toothlike edges. Sargassum aquifolium can float due to the pneumatocysts found on the leaves. Sargassum aquifolium is endemic to the Hawaiian...
stems. These are clad in numerous small leaf-like blades growing from pneumatocysts (gas-filled bladders) and it is on these blades that the amphipod lives...
splitting and become long and linear as they grow. The blades lack pneumatocysts, meaning that the kelp is negatively buoyant and displays a prostrate...
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