MICROBIOLOGICAL CULTURE Meaning and
Definition
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Microbiological culture refers to the process of cultivating and growing microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other microbial organisms, in a controlled laboratory environment. It involves providing the necessary conditions, including temperature, pH, and nutrient availability, for the growth and multiplication of these organisms.
In microbiology, a culture can refer to the microorganisms that have been successfully propagated through the process or to the specific medium in which the microorganisms are grown. Microbiological culture has a wide range of applications, including research, diagnostics, and industrial production.
To initiate a microbiological culture, a sample containing the microorganisms is collected, and a small amount is transferred onto a sterile medium, such as agar or broth, which provides the necessary nutrients for the microorganisms to grow. The culture is then incubated under specific conditions, allowing the microorganisms to reproduce and form visible colonies or turbidity within the medium.
Microbiological cultures are used for various purposes, such as identifying specific microorganisms, testing their susceptibility to antibiotics or other treatments, studying their growth characteristics, and producing large quantities of beneficial microorganisms for industrial purposes, such as in the production of antibiotics, vaccines, or enzymes.
Overall, microbiological culture is a fundamental technique in microbiology that enables scientists to study and manipulate microorganisms, aiding in the understanding of their biology, pathogenicity, and potential applications in various fields.
Etymology of MICROBIOLOGICAL CULTURE
The word "microbiological" is derived from two main components: "micro" and "biology".
The term "micro" comes from the Greek word "mikros", meaning small or minute. It is often used as a prefix to indicate something extremely small or microscopic in nature.
"Biology" has its roots in the Greek words "bios", meaning life, and "logos", meaning study or knowledge. Thus, "biology" refers to the scientific study of living organisms.
The word "culture" has a different etymology. It comes from the Latin word "cultura", which means cultivation or cultivation of the soil. In the context of microbiology, "culture" refers to the act of growing microorganisms in a controlled environment, such as a laboratory, in order to study and identify them.
