MYCOLIC Meaning and
Definition
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Mycolic is an adjective that describes a type of fatty acid present in the cell walls of certain bacteria, particularly in the genus Mycobacterium. These bacteria are considered acid-fast due to their ability to resist decolorization by acids during lab staining procedures. The mycolic acids, which are long-chain branched fatty acids, contribute to the unique structure and properties of the bacterial cell wall.
In terms of structure, mycolic acids consist of a hydrophobic long-chain carbon skeleton with a hydroxyl group at one end. The hydrocarbon chain can vary in length and degree of branching, resulting in unique variations of mycolic acids across bacterial species. These unique variations further contribute to the identification and classification of bacterial strains.
The presence of mycolic acids provides several benefits to bacteria. The mycolates contribute to the impermeability of the cell wall, making the bacteria more resistant to both physical and chemical agents. This characteristic is especially crucial for organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, as it allows the bacteria to survive and persist in various host environments.
In summary, mycolic is an adjective used to describe the fatty acid composition found in the cell walls of acid-fast bacteria, particularly those belonging to the genus Mycobacterium. These long-chain branched fatty acids, known as mycolic acids, contribute to the unique structure, properties, and resilience of the bacterial cell wall.
Common Misspellings for MYCOLIC
- nycolic
- kycolic
- jycolic
- mtcolic
- mgcolic
- mhcolic
- mucolic
- m7colic
- m6colic
- myxolic
- myvolic
- myfolic
- mydolic
- mycilic
- mycklic
- mycllic
- mycplic
- myc0lic
- myc9lic
- mycokic
Etymology of MYCOLIC
The word "mycolic" is derived from the Greek word "mykes", which means "fungus" or "mushroom". The term "mycolic" is primarily used in biology and describes certain fatty acids found in the cell walls of mycobacteria, a genus of bacteria that includes the species responsible for diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.
