Definition

A type of freshwater algae that belongs to the genus Anabaena, which can sometimes be found in drinking water and may create unpleasant tastes and smells.

Example

The presence of anabaena in the lake made the water taste strange.

Conversation

Have you heard about anabaena in drinking water lately?

Yeah, I read that it can give a bad taste and odor.

Exactly! It's surprising how something so small can affect our water.

Right? We should definitely check our filters more often.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Anabaena is derived from the Greek roots 'ana-' (meaning up) and 'bainein' (meaning to go or to walk). The term refers to a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that typically grow in water, often forming blooms that rise to the surface, hence the meaning of 'going up'.

Memory Tip

Think of 'going up' ('ana-') as these bacteria often rise to the surface of water, which helps you remember that 'anabaena' refers to a type of cyanobacteria.

Visually Confused Words