Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, blue-green bacteria, cyanoprokaryots, and cyanophytes, are oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes that possess features familiar to both bacteria (prokaryota) and algae (eukaryota). Their cell structure and composition are similar to those of prokaryotic cell in that they lack the cell nucleus and distinctive organelles of eukaryotic cell, and their special structure and chemical composition of the cell wall are basically the same as those of gram-negative bacteria.
Cyanobacteria is a phylum of the Bacteria. But, Algea is a taxon of the Eukaria. Blue green algae and cyanophyte are old names, before development of molecular biology. Now, these names are only used by non-biologist scientists. You can find valid scientific name of any living things at : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.
Cyanobacteria or blue green algae is included in prokaryotic organisms ,
Cyanobacteria are bacteria in all biological aspects (physiology, genome structure etc.). They are prokaryotes. The term "algae" used in the colloquial grouping of "blue-green algae" simply means photosynthetic organisms. In this specific case, the term "algae" does not specify whether the organisms are prokaryotes or eukaryotes. It's a term loosely used to describe photoautotrophs, and has really no place in the recent scientific classification of the various lineages in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The term "algae" can be used to refer to red algae (Rhodophytes), green algae (e.g. Chlorophytes), and glaucophytes (these three are within the Supergroup "Plantae"), as well as the non-Plantae lineages, such as the brown algae (Phaeophytes, e.g. the brown seaweed; classified as Stramenopiles), and phytoplanktons e.g. diatoms (Stramenopiles) and dinoflagellates (Alveolates). Some of the dinoflagellates cause harmful "algal" bloom. I hope I have not confused you further :-).
Since very long now blue-green algae are classified as bacteria, so their modern name cyanobacteria tell you the truth. The relation with different group of algae was coming from the old classification as they perform photosynthesis. refer to prof Stanier (Institut Pasteur, Paris) which greatly contributed to the modern classification of the cyanobacteria. The molecular biology has made the clash and definitly they are bacteria
Cyanobacteria is a phylum of the Bacteria. But, Algea is a taxon of the Eukaria. Blue green algae and cyanophyte are old names, before development of molecular biology. Now, these names are only used by non-biologist scientists. You can find valid scientific name of any living things at : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.
"Blue-green algae" is an old term that should no longer be used (since at least the 1970s!); cyanobacteria is the correct term, as they are definitely Bacteria. The Endosymbiotic Theory explains that the photosynthetic plastids (chloroplasts) of green algae and plants almost certainly evolved from free-living ancestors of cyanobacteria or prochlorophytes that became endosymbionts (internal symbionts) of early eukeryotic cells.
The continued misuse of the term "algae" to describe cyanobacteria creates confusion and has no obvious redeeming value. The public clearly needs to be subjected to more consistent and accurate references to toxic cyanobacteria when describing lake blooms. For example, the press has generally lumped Florida's recent outbreaks of marine red tide and toxic cyanobacteria from Lake Okeechobee, leading to much confusion about possible causes for these events.
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