Azotobacter Cysts

Click here to see a larger image (JPEG) of this microbe. Kingdom: Eubacterium Scientific Name: Azotobacter Image Courtesy of: Pankratz, Stu Image Width: 2 microns Image Technology: TEM

This is the cross section of a cyst of the bacterium, Azotobacter. Azotobacter is an organism that lives in soil. It can fix nitrogen. Unlike rhizobium, azotobacter is free-living. This cyst is a resting stage for this organism that allows it to survive in harsh conditions. This cyst has the same function as endospores in other bacteria.