MICROAEROPHILE Meaning and
Definition
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A microaerophile refers to a type of microorganism, typically a bacterium, that thrives in environments that contains low levels of oxygen. It is defined as an aerobe as it requires oxygen for its growth and survival, but at lower concentrations compared to those found in the Earth's atmosphere. In fact, microaerophiles often find optimal growth conditions in oxygen levels ranging from 2% to 10%.
These microorganisms have evolved specific metabolic strategies to adapt to their niche environment. They possess various protective mechanisms to combat oxidative stress caused by the presence of oxygen. Their ability to survive under oxygen-restricted conditions is due to their well-developed respiratory systems that carry out respiration by employing low-affinity terminal oxidases, which facilitate their growth with minimal exposure to toxic reactive oxygen species.
Microaerophiles commonly occupy diverse habitats like soil, freshwater, and the gastrointestinal tract of animals. Some examples of microaerophilic bacteria include Helicobacter pylori, which colonizes the stomach lining, and Campylobacter jejuni, often associated with gastroenteritis in humans. These microorganisms play crucial roles in ecosystems by contributing to nutrient cycling and participating in symbiotic relationships with other organisms.
Understanding the physiological and metabolic adaptations of microaerophiles is significant not only in environmental microbiology but also in the field of medicine. Identifying and studying microaerophiles can aid in developing targeted treatments for related infections and lead to a deeper comprehension of the diverse microbial life on Earth.
Common Misspellings for MICROAEROPHILE
- nicroaerophile
- kicroaerophile
- jicroaerophile
- mucroaerophile
- mjcroaerophile
- mkcroaerophile
- mocroaerophile
- m9croaerophile
- m8croaerophile
- mixroaerophile
- mivroaerophile
- mifroaerophile
- midroaerophile
- miceoaerophile
- micdoaerophile
- micfoaerophile
- mictoaerophile
- mic5oaerophile
- mic4oaerophile
- micriaerophile
Etymology of MICROAEROPHILE
The word "microaerophile" is formed from two root words: "micro" meaning small or microscopic, and "aerophile" which is derived from "aero-" meaning air or oxygen, and "-phile" meaning loving or attracted to.
Etymologically, "micro" comes from the Greek word "mikros" meaning small, and "aero-" comes from the Greek word "aer" meaning air. "-Phile" also originates from Greek, derived from "philos" meaning loving or fond of. When combined, "microaerophile" refers to an organism that thrives or prefers environments with low levels of oxygen, such as certain bacteria or fungi.
