- A They are sometimes mistakenly thought to be incapable of carrying out oxygenic photosynthesis
- B They are prokaryotes (no membrane-bound nucleus) unlike plants which are eukaryotes
- C They are sometimes mistakenly thought to largely lack chlorophyll a, the pigment required for light absorption
- D They are sometimes mistakenly thought to reproduce mainly through sexual fusion of differentiated gametes
Correct answer: B. They are prokaryotes (no membrane-bound nucleus) unlike plants which are eukaryotes
Explanation: Cyanobacteria are prokaryotes: no membrane-bound nucleus, no membrane-bound organelles, no true chloroplasts (photosynthetic membranes are in the cytoplasm). All true plants are eukaryotes. Hence cyanobacteria belong to Monera.
Concept context
Classification of plants from algae to angiosperms. Understanding plant diversity is essential for NEET.