Pneumatocyst

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
  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.