Peritrichous is a term used in microbiology to describe a type of bacterial motility. The correct spelling of this word can be broken down into its individual phonetic sounds, which are represented using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The IPA transcription of peritrichous is /pɛrɪˈtrɪkəs/. This helps to show the correct pronunciation of the word, with the emphasis on the first and third syllables. By using IPA, we can ensure that the spelling and pronunciation of scientific terms are accurate and consistent.
Peritrichous is an adjective used to describe a specific arrangement or distribution of flagella or cilia on a cell or organism. It is derived from the Latin word "peri-" meaning around or surrounding, and the Greek word "trichos" meaning hair. Peritrichous refers to the presence of numerous flagella or cilia that are distributed uniformly around the surface of a cell or organism.
In the context of microbiology, peritrichous flagella are hair-like appendages found on certain bacteria that allow them to move and navigate through their environment. These flagella are distributed evenly around the entire cell, giving the appearance of a "hairy" surface when visualized under a microscope. The presence of peritrichous flagella enables the bacteria to move in a rotational manner, propelling themselves through liquid mediums such as water or mucus.
Peritrichous cilia, on the other hand, are hair-like structures found on certain single-celled organisms such as protozoans. They serve a similar purpose to peritrichous flagella, allowing the organism to swim or move in a coordinated, directed manner.
Overall, the term peritrichous describes a specific pattern of flagellar or ciliary distribution, emphasizing the presence of numerous appendages uniformly distributed around the cell or organism.
Provided with cilia or flagella on all sides.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "peritrichous" has its roots in the Greek language. It is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "peri", meaning "around", and "trichous", meaning "hair" or "filament". The term "peritrichous" is commonly used in biology to describe certain bacteria that have flagella (hair-like structures) distributed all around their surface.