How Do You Spell ANAEROBACTER?

Pronunciation: [ˈane͡əɹˌɒbaktə] (IPA)

Anaerobacter is spelled with the prefix "anaero-" meaning without oxygen, and the suffix "-bacter" meaning bacteria. The stress falls on the second syllable, [ˌænəroʊ'bæktər]. The first syllable starts with a schwa sound followed by the /n/ sound. The second syllable starts with the long "o" vowel sound, followed by the /r/ sound with syllabic stress on the last part. The third syllable starts with the consonant sound /b/ and ends with the schwa sound. Overall, the word refers to bacteria that can survive without oxygen.

ANAEROBACTER Meaning and Definition

1. Anaerobacter refers to a genus of bacteria that are classified as anaerobes, meaning they are capable of surviving and thriving in environments lacking oxygen or where oxygen concentrations are very low. This genus falls into the broader category of Firmicutes, which are gram-positive bacteria known for their low-GC content DNA, meaning they have a relatively low proportion of guanine and cytosine nucleotides in their genetic material.

   Members of the Anaerobacter genus are typically characterized by their rod-shaped or coccoid morphology and lack the ability to form spores. They are considered obligate anaerobes, as they cannot tolerate or grow in the presence of oxygen. In order to obtain energy for their metabolic processes, they rely on various anaerobic respiration pathways, such as fermentation or sulfate reduction.

   These bacteria are commonly found in anaerobic environments, including the intestines of animals, terrestrial and marine sediments, as well as sewage and wastewater treatment systems. They play important roles in the decomposition and recycling of organic matter, contributing to the overall nutrient cycling in these ecosystems.

   While Anaerobacter species are generally regarded as beneficial to the environment, certain strains have been associated with infections in humans. For instance, Anaerobacter polyendosporus has been implicated in chronic sinusitis cases. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain proper hygiene and infection control protocols to minimize potential risks associated with these bacteria.

Etymology of ANAEROBACTER

The word "anaerobacter" is derived from two components: "anaero-" and "-bacter".

1. "Anaero-" comes from Greek "an-" meaning "without" and "aer" meaning "air" or "oxygen". It refers to an organism or process that does not require oxygen or cannot survive in the presence of oxygen. This is in contrast to "aero-" which means "air" or "oxygen", indicating an organism or process that requires oxygen.

2. "-bacter" originates from the Greek word "baktērion", meaning "staff" or "cane". It is commonly used as a suffix in biological terminology to denote organisms belonging to the kingdom Bacteria, which are single-celled microorganisms.

Therefore, "anaerobacter" combines the prefix "anaero-" indicating an organism lacking oxygen, and the suffix "-bacter" indicating a bacterium.