MYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS Meaning and
Definition
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Mycobacterium smegmatis is a species of bacteria that belongs to the Mycobacterium genus, which also includes the infamous Mycobacterium tuberculosis, responsible for causing tuberculosis in humans. It is classified as a non-pathogenic bacterium, meaning that it does not typically cause disease or harm to humans. Mycobacterium smegmatis is a rod-shaped bacterium that is Gram-positive, indicating that it retains the Gram stain dye and has a thick, waxy cell wall.
This bacterium is commonly found in soil, water, and certain mammals, including humans. It has been widely used as a model organism in scientific research due to its fast growth rate and accessibility in laboratories. Mycobacterium smegmatis possesses a unique cell wall structure that contains mycolic acids, giving it its acid-fast staining characteristics under microscopic examination.
Although it is generally harmless to humans, Mycobacterium smegmatis can occasionally cause opportunistic infections in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing immunosuppressive therapies. This bacterium has also been studied extensively for its role in the development and evaluation of various antibiotics and antituberculosis drugs. Scientists use Mycobacterium smegmatis as a surrogate organism to better understand the biology and mechanisms of its pathogenic relative, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, aiding in the development of new and improved treatments for tuberculosis.
Common Misspellings for MYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS
- nycobacterium smegmatis
- kycobacterium smegmatis
- jycobacterium smegmatis
- mtcobacterium smegmatis
- mgcobacterium smegmatis
- mhcobacterium smegmatis
- mucobacterium smegmatis
- m7cobacterium smegmatis
- m6cobacterium smegmatis
- myxobacterium smegmatis
- myvobacterium smegmatis
- myfobacterium smegmatis
- mydobacterium smegmatis
- mycibacterium smegmatis
- myckbacterium smegmatis
- myclbacterium smegmatis
- mycpbacterium smegmatis
- myc0bacterium smegmatis
- myc9bacterium smegmatis
- mycovacterium smegmatis
Etymology of MYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS
The word "Mycobacterium smegmatis" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.
- "Mycobacterium" comes from the Greek word "mykes" meaning "fungus" and the Latin word "bacteria" meaning "rod". It refers to a genus of bacteria that includes various pathogenic and non-pathogenic species. This genus was named so because they were initially thought to be a type of fungus.
- "Smegmatis" comes from the Greek word "smēgma" meaning "soap, detergent". It refers to a substance that can accumulate under the foreskin of males and the clitoral hood of females. This term was incorporated into the name of this bacterium due to its isolation from the human male foreskin during the original description in 1884.
