Cyanobacteria vs Cyanotype printing
They both use the prefix “cyano” because it means “dark blue” in Greek. The blue-green hue is central to both:
- Cyanobacteria: Their pigments (especially chlorophyll and phycocyanin) give them a blue-green color, essential for photosynthesis.
- Cyanotype Printing: The process results in a deep blue color known as “Prussian blue,” which is produced during the chemical reaction in the printing process.
So, “cyano” reflects their shared blue color, though their purposes and contexts are completely different.