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Azolla

Satisfactory Essays

1. What is the geographic distribution and habitat of Azolla? (1 pt.)
The habitat of Azolla is any climate that is warm, temperate or tropical regions. Azolla cannot survive in areas that have long freezes or arid temperatures. This means that Azolla can be found on any continent that has warm freshwater ponds, ditches, slow rivers or lakes. Azolla can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. (1)
2. What is unique about this fern? Why is it called ‘Azolla Superorganism’? (2 pts)
Azolla is a superorganism because it has a symbiotic relationship with cyanobacteria. These two organisms are separate beings, but when the Azolla reproduces it passes that bacteria onto it’s offspring allowing the offspring to have the benefits of the symbiotic relationship. These two organisms co-evolved together over time and have not been found separate in over 100 million years. (2) …show more content…

Over time, a cavity in the leaf developed that houses and protects the bacteria in a space without oxygen. The anabaena is then able to help the plant with nitrogen fixation. This cavity in the leaf also allows for cyanobacteria to be passed down through reproduction. (2)
3. What are current practical uses of Azolla? (1 pt)
The current uses of Azolla include livestock feed and biofertilizer. (3)
4. How do scientists propose to use Azolla in new technologies to help the environment? (2 pts)
Scientist believe that Azolla could help lower greenhouse CO2. This plant's growth in freshwater without the need for soil allows the plant to use the CO2 without displacing land. The land that is not used by Azolla because of it’s ability to grow in freshwater can then be used to grow crops or allow more rain forests to be replanted. (4)
5. List some proposed

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