BACTERIOSTASIS Meaning and
Definition
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Bacteriostasis is a term used in microbiology and medicine to describe the inhibition or slowing down of bacterial growth and reproduction. It refers to a state where the growth of bacteria is arrested or held in check, without necessarily killing them completely.
The term "bacteriostasis" is derived from the combination of two words: "bacterio," which refers to bacteria, and "stasis," which means a state of balance or equilibrium. Together, these words imply the state in which bacterial growth is halted or suppressed.
Bacteriostasis can be observed or induced by various means, including the use of antimicrobial agents or environmental conditions that are unfavorable for bacterial proliferation. In practical terms, bacteriostatic compounds inhibit the growth of bacteria by interfering with essential metabolic processes or cellular functions, without causing their death.
Bacteriostasis is often contrasted with the term "bactericidal," which refers to the ability to kill or eliminate bacteria completely. While bacteriostatic agents only hinder bacterial growth, bactericidal agents can eradicate bacteria by causing cell death or destroying their essential components.
Bacteriostasis is an important concept in medicine and the development of antimicrobial therapies. Understanding the mechanisms behind bacteriostasis helps researchers and healthcare professionals determine the appropriate treatments for bacterial infections, as well as to study the potential resistance of bacteria to certain agents.
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An arrest or retardation of growth of bacteria.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BACTERIOSTASIS
- vacteriostasis
- nacteriostasis
- hacteriostasis
- gacteriostasis
- bzcteriostasis
- bscteriostasis
- bwcteriostasis
- bqcteriostasis
- baxteriostasis
- bavteriostasis
- bafteriostasis
- badteriostasis
- bacreriostasis
- bacferiostasis
- bacgeriostasis
- bacyeriostasis
- bac6eriostasis
- bac5eriostasis
- bactwriostasis
Etymology of BACTERIOSTASIS
The word "bacteriostasis" has its roots in two components: "bacterio-" and "-stasis".
The first component, "bacterio-", derives from the Greek word "bakterion", which means "small stick". It is a diminutive of "baktron", meaning "staff" or "stick". In the context of microbiology, "bacterio-" is used to refer to bacteria.
The second component, "-stasis", comes from the Greek word "stasis", which means "stopping" or "standing still". It is derived from the verb "histēmi", which means "to stand".
Putting both components together, "bacteriostasis" refers to the process of inhibiting or preventing the growth and reproduction of bacteria, hence, "stopping the growth of bacteria".
Similar spelling words for BACTERIOSTASIS
- bacterioidal,
- bacteriolytic,
- bacteriologist,
- bacteriostases,
- bacteriostat,
- bacteriolysis,
- bastardisation,
- bacteriophagous,
- bacteriostatic,
- bacteriology,
- bacteriemia,
- bacteriophage,
- bacteriologic,
- bacteriological,
- bacteriaemia,
- bacteriophagic.
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