The spelling of the bacterial species "Micrococcus oxycyanogenes" can be tricky to decipher. The first part of the name, "Micrococcus," is pronounced /maɪkrɵˈkɒkəs/. The second part, "oxycyanogenes," is pronounced /ˌɒksiˌsaɪənəˈdʒɛniːz/. The word "oxycyanogenes" combines the components "oxy-" (meaning oxygen) and "cyanogenes" (meaning blue). Therefore, the name refers to a blue pigment-producing bacteria that requires oxygen to survive. Despite its challenging spelling, this species is important for bioremediation and industrial purposes.
Micrococcus oxycyanogenes is a bacterium belonging to the genus Micrococcus, which falls under the family of Micrococcaceae. It is a Gram-positive, nonmotile, and non-spore-forming bacterium that has a spherical or coccus shape. This bacterium is typically found in soil, water, and various other natural environments.
Micrococcus oxycyanogenes is characterized by its ability to produce a blue-green pigment called oxycyanin. The bacterium derives its name from this unique pigmentation. It is an aerobic organism, meaning it requires oxygen for growth and survival.
This species is commonly used in research laboratories for various purposes. It is often employed in studies related to bacterial physiology and biochemistry due to its ease of cultivation and maintenance. Additionally, Micrococcus oxycyanogenes is known to be resistant to adverse environmental conditions, making it a useful model organism for the study of stress tolerance and bacterial survival mechanisms.
Though generally harmless to humans, Micrococcus oxycyanogenes can sometimes act as an opportunistic pathogen, causing infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. However, its pathogenicity is relatively low compared to other bacterial species.
In conclusion, Micrococcus oxycyanogenes is a nonmotile, non-spore-forming bacterium commonly found in natural environments, which produces a blue-green pigment called oxycyanin. It is widely used as a model organism in research due to its physiological and biochemical characteristics.
An intestinal bacterium producing a blue pigment through absorption of oxygen, found in residents of the tropics.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Micrococcus oxycyanogenes" is derived from the combination of two Greek words and a scientific term.
1. "Micrococcus" originates from the Greek words "mikros" meaning "small" and "kokkos" meaning "grain" or "berry". The term was coined in the mid-19th century to refer to bacteria that were observed to appear as small spherical cells, resembling tiny grains or berries.
2. "Oxycyanogenes" is a combination of two Latin and Greek roots. "Oxy" comes from the Greek word "oxys" meaning "acid" or "sharp", while "cyanogenes" is derived from the Latin word "cyaneus" meaning "blue". The term "oxycyanogenes" itself is a scientific term used in microbiology to describe the ability of certain bacteria to produce a blue pigment.