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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Giantkelp2_300.jpg/300px-Giantkelp2_300.jpg)
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]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Algae_bladder_4290.jpg/220px-Algae_bladder_4290.jpg)
References
edit- ^ a b Thiel, 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.
Further reading
editPlouguerne, Erwan; Cesconetto, Criscia; Cruz, Camila P.; Pereira, Renato C.; da Gama, Bernardo A. P. (December 2012). "Within-thallus variation in polyphenolic content and antifouling activity in Sargassum vulgare". Journal of Applied Phycology. 24 (6): 1629. doi:10.1007/s10811-012-9826-0. S2CID 17743874.