A tiny cell that broke a big rule of biology(grist.org) |
A tiny cell that broke a big rule of biology(grist.org) |
Bigelowii itself seems very interesting, even without this nitrogen fixing organelle, having two completely different phases to it's life - one in a weird dodecahedral calcareous shell and one without as a mobile flagellate. Apparently it can exist and reproduce in either form, and occasionally switch forms. It took scientists a long while to realize the two forms are actually the same species.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastid
Edit: "It was a type of algae called Braarudosphaera bigelowii. Hagino fondly just calls it Bigelowii."
Is this pronounced bigggie-lowie?