How Do You Spell COLIFORM BACTERIA?

Pronunciation: [kˈɒlɪfˌɔːm baktˈi͡əɹɪə] (IPA)

Coliform bacteria, pronounced /ˈkɑləfɔrm bækˈtɪriə/, are a group of gram-negative bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and in soil and water. The spelling of the word coliform is derived from the Latin word "coli", which means colon, and the English suffix "form", meaning "in the shape of". The IPA phonetic transcription of this word demonstrates that the second syllable of coliform uses the mid-central vowel /ə/, which is unstressed and pronounced as a weak vowel. It is important to note the spelling of scientific terms as proper pronunciation and spelling are crucial in the scientific community.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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COLIFORM BACTERIA Meaning and Definition

  1. Coliform bacteria are a group of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that typically inhabit the intestines of animals and humans. These bacteria are facultative anaerobes, meaning they can survive in both aerobic (oxygen-rich) and anaerobic (oxygen-depleted) conditions. They are widely used as indicators of fecal contamination in water and food, as their presence suggests the possible existence of harmful pathogens.

    Coliform bacteria are named after Escherichia coli, one of the most well-known members of this group. In addition to E. coli, other common coliform bacteria include Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, and Serratia. They are classified as coliforms because they possess similar metabolic and cultural characteristics, including the ability to ferment lactose within a specified timeframe.

    The detection and enumeration of coliform bacteria play a crucial role in determining the quality and safety of water supplies and food products. Elevated levels of coliform bacteria can indicate that the water or food has been contaminated with fecal matter, which may contain harmful pathogens like Salmonella or Shigella. Therefore, their presence is often used as an indicator that further testing is necessary to ensure the safety of these substances.

    Coliform bacteria are commonly tested using various methods, such as the membrane filtration technique or the most probable number (MPN) method. These tests involve incubating samples in specific growth media capable of promoting the growth of coliform bacteria. Identification and enumeration are carried out based on characteristic colony appearance and biochemical tests.

    Overall, coliform bacteria serve as essential indicators for monitoring and maintaining the microbiological quality and safety of water and food supplies.

Etymology of COLIFORM BACTERIA

The word "coliform bacteria" is derived from the combination of two roots: "coli" and "form".

1. "Coli": The term "coli" refers to the designation of the bacterium Escherichia coli, which is a species commonly used as an indicator of fecal contamination in water, food, and the environment. Escherichia coli was named after its discoverer, Theodor Escherich, and "coli" is a Latinized version of his name.

2. "Form": The term "form" in this context refers to the shape or structure of the bacteria. Coliform bacteria are named as such because of their similar appearance to Escherichia coli, which is typically rod-shaped or bacilli-shaped. The term "coliform" translates to "of similar form to coli".