Elementary body is spelled /ˌelɪˈmɛntəri ˈbɒdi/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word refers to an infectious particle that exists outside of cells and can cause disease. The spelling "elementary" is derived from the Latin word "elementum," meaning basic or fundamental. Meanwhile, "body" is spelled phonetically as it sounds, with the "o" being pronounced as /ɒ/ in British English, and /ɑ/ in American English. Understanding the phonetic transcription of words can help with correct pronunciation and communication.
The term "elementary body" refers to a particular form or state of an organism that is characterized by its simple and basic structure. In biology, it is commonly used to describe the simplest form of certain microorganisms, such as chlamydiae.
An elementary body is typically a small, spherical or oval-shaped particle that lacks many of the complex features and organelles found in other forms of the organism. These bodies are often highly resistant to environmental conditions, such as extreme temperatures or desiccation, enabling the organism to survive in harsh surroundings.
In the case of chlamydiae, elementary bodies are the infectious stage of the bacterium. They serve as a means for the microorganism to spread and infect new host cells. Upon entering a suitable host, the elementary body penetrates the cell and transforms into a more metabolically active form called the reticulate body, where it undergoes replication. The reticulate bodies then transform back into elementary bodies, which are released from the infected host cell to continue the infection cycle.
The term "elementary body" can also be used in other fields, such as chemistry or physics, to describe the most basic and fundamental unit of a substance or element. In these contexts, it refers to an indivisible particle or entity that retains the essential characteristics or properties of the substance or element.
Platelet.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "elementary" originated from the Latin word "elementarius", which means "pertaining to the elements". In this context, "elements" refer to the basic principles or constituent parts of something.
The term "body" comes from the Old English word "bodig", which initially referred to the physical structure of a living being. It can also be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "budagaz", meaning "fleshly remains" or "trunk of a body".
When combined, the phrase "elementary body" describes a fundamental unit or basic form of a particular object, organism, or substance. It is commonly used in scientific and medical contexts to refer to a distinct and self-contained structural unit.