MICROBACTERIA Meaning and
Definition
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Microbacteria, also known as mycobacteria, are a group of rod-shaped, gram-positive bacteria belonging to the genus Mycobacterium. They are characterized by their unique cell wall structure composed of high amounts of mycolic acids, which give them resistance to acids, alkalis, and disinfectants. Microbacteria are widely distributed in nature and can be found in various environmental sources such as water, soil, plants, and animals.
These bacteria are of significant medical importance as they include both pathogenic and non-pathogenic species. Pathogenic mycobacteria are responsible for causing various diseases in humans and animals, such as tuberculosis, leprosy, and Buruli ulcer. Non-pathogenic mycobacteria, on the other hand, are generally harmless and often used in laboratory research, bioremediation, and industrial applications.
Microbacteria are mostly aerobes, meaning they require oxygen to grow and reproduce. They have a slow growth rate and typically form colonies or biofilms on solid surfaces. However, some mycobacteria can also survive as intracellular parasites within phagocytic cells, allowing them to evade the immune system and establish chronic infections.
In terms of diagnosis, the identification of mycobacteria usually requires specialized laboratory techniques, including acid-fast staining, culturing on selective media, and molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Treatment of mycobacterial infections often involves a combination of antibiotics tailored to the specific species and drug susceptibility patterns, as well as long durations of therapy due to the slow-growing nature of these bacteria.
Common Misspellings for MICROBACTERIA
- nicrobacteria
- kicrobacteria
- jicrobacteria
- mucrobacteria
- mjcrobacteria
- mkcrobacteria
- mocrobacteria
- m9crobacteria
- m8crobacteria
- mixrobacteria
- mivrobacteria
- mifrobacteria
- midrobacteria
- miceobacteria
- micdobacteria
- micfobacteria
- mictobacteria
- mic5obacteria
- mic4obacteria
- micribacteria
Etymology of MICROBACTERIA
The word "Microbacteria" is a combination of two components: "micro-" and "bacteria".
The prefix "micro-" comes from the Greek word "mīkrós", meaning "small" or "tiny". It is commonly used to indicate something very small or microscopic in size.
The term "bacteria" is derived from the Greek word "baktḗrion", meaning "rod" or "cane". It was initially used to describe rod-shaped microorganisms that were discovered by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in the 17th century.
Combining these two elements, the term "Microbacteria" literally means "tiny rods" and is often used to refer to bacteria that have a rod-shaped morphology. However, it is important to note that "Microbacteria" is not a scientifically recognized taxonomic term, and the correct term for rod-shaped bacteria is "bacilli".
